IIT-Madras ‘Product Test’ on Schoolchildren Sparks Controversy
IIT-Madras 'Product Test' on Schoolchildren Sparks Controversy
Parents allege violation of consent, TN government orders high-level inquiry.
A “feasibility test” conducted by IIT-Madras faculty on students from Vana Vani Matriculation Higher Secondary School, located within the institute’s campus, has sparked outrage among parents and led to administrative action. The Tamil Nadu government has launched an inquiry into allegations of unethical practices.
The test, which IIT-M describes as a study to evaluate the usability of a cost-effective smart insole, involved children running and jumping while wearing insoles in their shoes and wearing smartwatches to collect data. The institute insists that no medical procedures or invasive methods were involved, and the test lasted less than 10 minutes per student. However, parents report that children were left tired and in pain, with some experiencing leg discomfort. They claim no prior consent was sought, a violation of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Parents allege they were not informed or asked for consent before their children participated in the study. Some children reported being asked to jump and run, leading parents to suspect an endurance or fitness evaluation rather than a simple product test. A parent recounted that her 10-year-old son and other students were kept at the ground without lunch or access to their belongings for an extended period.
In its statement, the institute clarified that the study was non-invasive, involving no medicines or medical devices. It was described as a simple feasibility test that did not require parental consent. The faculty involved have been warned, and the school principal has been transferred.
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. The State Human Rights Commission is reviewing complaints filed by parents, and the District Education Officer (DEO) has summoned parents and school management for further discussions.
Vana Vani Matriculation Higher Secondary School, a prominent institution established in 1963, has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. Parents have raised concerns about the lack of communication and transparency during the test.
While IIT-Madras maintains the study’s harmless nature, the controversy underscores the importance of obtaining informed consent and ensuring transparency when involving minors in any form of research. Parents are demanding accountability, and the outcomes of the government inquiry will determine further actions.
