A 10-minute study conducted by researchers from IIT Madras on students at a school on the institute’s campus has sparked a controversy, leading to administrative action. The study, which took place in August 2024 at Vana Vani Matriculation Higher Secondary School (VVMHSC), has been accused of violating ethical guidelines and raising concerns about the lack of parental consent. Following the complaints, the school principal was replaced, and the IIT Madras faculty involved was warned.
The controversy came to light after a parent filed a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission, alleging that a group of students had unknowingly participated in “clinical trials” that violated rules. The parent claimed that the study had been conducted without obtaining prior consent from the students’ parents. The complaint also raised concerns about whether the study could have been classified as a medical or clinical trial.
Vana Vani School, which was established in 1963 and is located on the IIT Madras campus, is run by a non-profit trust where the Director of IIT Madras serves as the managing trustee. In response to the allegations, IIT Madras released a statement detailing the incident. The institution clarified that the study conducted on August 19, 2024, was aimed at testing the feasibility of a cost-effective smart insole, which was assembled using commercially available items.
IIT Madras insisted that no clinical trials or medical-related device tests were conducted. The students were only involved in a brief feasibility study, where the smart insole was placed inside their shoes for less than 10 minutes. The insole was designed to study the ease of walking, and the data was collected using a commercially available smartwatch. The institution emphasized that no medicine, stimulants, or invasive procedures were used, and no liquids or solids were administered to the students during the study.
Despite the reassurances from IIT Madras, the school management took the matter seriously and decided to replace the principal. The faculty involved in the study was also warned, and administrative action was taken for not ensuring that prior consent from parents was obtained before conducting the study. The feasibility test was immediately halted on the same day, August 19, 2024, after the concerns were raised.
The incident has raised questions about ethical guidelines in academic research and the importance of obtaining proper consent from parents, especially when it involves school children. IIT Madras has stated that they are reviewing the matter, and appropriate actions have been taken to address the situation.
