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Human Guinea Pig

Career Advice on How to Become A Human Guinea Pig

One can be forgiven for wondering if a “human guinea pig” might be some sort of monster from a 1950s horror flick. However, in reality, this job consists of people who are paid to test out new products and particularly, drugs.  It is not uncommon for human guinea pigs to make a few hundred dollars per study.

Career Facts:

The risk of being a human guinea pig should be immediately obvious.  Drug companies have all sorts of complications with their drugs after they have been approved by the FDA and been on the market often for years.  As a human guinea pig, you are bypassing this process.  

So how does the job search work? Most people find work as human guinea pigs by looking at want ads that are requesting people to participate in studies.  It should be clearly stated that this is a job that can come with serious, potentially very serious, long-term health risks.  A human guinea pig many only be required to test a product as simple as a new wax based lip balm, or a human guinea pig might be required to test a powerful new drug that could damage any number of internal organs.  In short, examine what is being asked of you with extraordinary care.  If the testing of drugs is required, it is probably best to err on the side of caution and simply pass on the opportunity.

Career Opportunities and Job Outlook-Good:

For the foreseeable future, the medical industry will likely need human guinea pigs.  The job of the human guinea pig is likely to be greatly reduced soon as computer programs of sufficient sophistication are expected to adequately simulate test results.  However, this technology is still years away. 

Job Outlook is Good

A Day in The Life:

The human guinea pig likely spends a good chunk of their day telling themselves that there is nothing to worry about.  They are often simply wrong.  Often human guinea pigs will go to clinics or “Medical Group” facilities where all sorts of tests and drugs are administered.

Average Salary:

Salaries are often a few hundred dollars per procedure, but more involved procedures can yield more money.  However, keep in mind that you might not be feeling well enough to spend any of this money after all of the drugs you ingest.

Career Training and Qualifications:

As for career planning, there is virtually no training or education required.  A human guinea pig should simply have no problem putting their body on the line.  Other than that, there are no other requirements.  Some human guinea pig jobs are merely for testing new projects, but others could be dangerous.  In general, one should avoid this profession if at all possible.