Socio-cultural and ethical aspects of clinical research in developed and developing countries: different terms for different conditions

This article presents an in-depth analysis of the main socio-cultural and ethical aspects of clinical trials in the “socalled” developed and developing countries as well, through a review of the literature, in order to outline the real background where these kind of research studies are taking place, following the general trend of globalization. The differences between these “two worlds” and the reasons on which they are grounded will highlight the importance of a collaborative research and a global harmonization of effective guidelines and rules with ethical principles, placing clinical trials ’ participants’ rights, safety and well-being over the interests of science and society, with due respect to their community’s culture and tradition.