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The experiment took place inside the home of M.I.T. scientist Deb Roy. Eleven video cameras and 14 microphones were placed in ceilings throughout in order to document the first three years of his son's life and language development. It's officially named the Human Speechome Project. Or, call it Spy Kid.
There's a controversy brewing in scientific circles, and it centers on parents using their own children as research subjects. One scientist dad set a camera on his infant's head in order to follow just what the boy was looking at. Harmless enough and obviously fascinating. But how about those parents who have subjected their offspring to numerous M.R.I.s in order to study brain change? Or injecting their kids with a new vaccine? (That was Jonas Salk.)
Important work, all, but potentially dangerous. Is that good science but bad parenting?
There is a clear "conflict of interest" here, as Robert M. Nelson, director of the Center for Research Integrity at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia points out. Testing on any child is fraught: It solves ills, but if it's on your own kid, "...potentially takes the parent-child relationship and distorts it in ways that are unpredictable."
Still, don't all parents use their children as test subjects, albeit not necessarily for the greater good of neuroscience or child psychology? Scientific method showed me that misassociation was the best way to get my son to try a new dish when he was younger. I tricked him. Turkey burgers became Crabby Patties. Asparagus was Jack Bean Stalk. Ever do that? We'll create a "Top 10" list with your best comments.
It all reminds me of a Steve Martin stand-up routine. It's possible, he suggested, to teach your child the wrong words for everything so that when he shows up at the first day of school and raises his hand, he says to the teacher, "May I mambo dogface to the banana patch?" Sounds like something right out of the Human Speechome Project.
There's a controversy brewing in scientific circles, and it centers on parents using their own children as research subjects. One scientist dad set a camera on his infant's head in order to follow just what the boy was looking at. Harmless enough and obviously fascinating. But how about those parents who have subjected their offspring to numerous M.R.I.s in order to study brain change? Or injecting their kids with a new vaccine? (That was Jonas Salk.)
Important work, all, but potentially dangerous. Is that good science but bad parenting?
There is a clear "conflict of interest" here, as Robert M. Nelson, director of the Center for Research Integrity at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia points out. Testing on any child is fraught: It solves ills, but if it's on your own kid, "...potentially takes the parent-child relationship and distorts it in ways that are unpredictable."
Still, don't all parents use their children as test subjects, albeit not necessarily for the greater good of neuroscience or child psychology? Scientific method showed me that misassociation was the best way to get my son to try a new dish when he was younger. I tricked him. Turkey burgers became Crabby Patties. Asparagus was Jack Bean Stalk. Ever do that? We'll create a "Top 10" list with your best comments.
It all reminds me of a Steve Martin stand-up routine. It's possible, he suggested, to teach your child the wrong words for everything so that when he shows up at the first day of school and raises his hand, he says to the teacher, "May I mambo dogface to the banana patch?" Sounds like something right out of the Human Speechome Project.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-19-2009 @ 5:50PM
Jenni said...This can be a dilema in the conflict of interest way; but most of these experiments will be done anyway, and what better person to do the experiment than the parent. They will take most caution with their own offspring.
Where the conflict comes in is if they are actually reporting the correct results (my brother tried to convince everyone that his son was rolling over at 2 weeks).
The medicinal stuff...well, I don't like using medications much anyway. But again, most parents would be more careful with their own children. I'm in the middle on this one.
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 9:02AM
Jamie said...I apologize for going off topic, but my son was rolling onto his side shortly after coming home from the hospital. He didn't like sleeping on his back. It took him a LOT of work to do it. He slept in my bedroom and I could hear the poor thing really working at it. I have two boys that were born at 9 pounds 2 ounces and the other at 8 pounds 15 ounces. Maybe it is the weight or the new prenatal vitamins they are giving new moms, but I can attest that there are some kids with some remarkable abilities at just a couple of weeks old.
1-20-2009 @ 2:38PM
Jenni said...Yes, probably, but let me explain. My small little nephew was laying on my brothers stomach and, with daddy leaning over with his hand out, baby could "roll over".
1-20-2009 @ 12:52PM
Sherry Artemenko said...As parents, it is very difficult to be objective when analyzing your child. Isn't it best to enjoy playing and nurturing them? I am a speech language pathologist with a blog, articles and toy and book reviews on how to talk, read and play with your child to build language. Check out fun ways to engage with your child at http://www.playonwords.com
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1-20-2009 @ 2:41PM
Jenni said...I agree that the biggest dilema is objectivity. In fields such as yours and mine, I think we can see this.
1-20-2009 @ 10:42AM
shombuddiesmommy said...The question here is does experimenting on your own child lead to child abuse? Scientist are designed to figure out what makes the world go around, not all parents are scientist so should therefore not be in the business of conducting any scientific evaluations. In a life saving situation like the polio vaccine knowing it was done to save children from an otherwise deadly disease I think it was a chance he had to take and was not to cause harm, thankfully Salk knew what he was doing and regarded his vaccine as safe for everyone including his own children. If some scientist can safely experiment on their own offspring then I think they should, otherwise how do we learn about human nature? Certainly not by studing primates. Every household nutures in a different manner and who's to say we do not conduct our own daily studies in a less intrusive manner. In my home, like the author, turkey meat does not elicit a happy response as well as leftovers, yuk neither goes over very well and knowing this I've devised ways to get serving of these foods into my family. For example, usually I hide ground turkey, which is less expensive then beef in a tomato meat sauce and although they can tell that there is a little bit of flavor change I will say I used a different method rather than I used turkey. Also leftovers need to be disquised otherwise they're getting pushed to the side. If there is ever anything left on a meat night, (as opposed to pastas with veggies which is not easily disquised), the left overs are offered with a different side, sliced thinly and perhaps under a gravy of sauteed mushrooms. This isn't exactly like changing the name of the item but rather the appearance and it works 9 times out of ten. Sneaky albeit money saving and thankfully the kids are not going hungry. The point is I test them with my ingredient hiding skills and this although not necessarily a science project is something I compare notes on after a meal. Did it work, why did it work or if it didn't work, why? And how can I improve. So I say if it don't hurt em then carry on parenting world we have got work to do.
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1-20-2009 @ 3:24PM
AImee Lopez said...I am a psychology student and many of the past psychologists observed their kids for psychological theories. Piaget was one of the first to observe his kids and helped lay the ground for child psychology and the different emotional/mental/physical stages. His kids turned out fine I believe. But I believe that Piaget would also play and learn with his kids so they never really knew that they were being looked upon as a psychological experiment.
A psychologist who was a little crazier, was B.F. Skinner who actually made a "skinner box" for his daughter. He was really into the "space age" during the 50s and 60s and designed a box for his daughter that would take care of all her physical needs and would allow his wife to do household chores. In reality it is a play pin but if you look at it, it is hideous and would now days probably be looked at as child abuse. His daughter turned out to be fine as well.
I do not see a problem with it if there is no emotional harm done. If they do not remember and they grow up "normal" then no problem with the studies and the researchers got some new information that could lead to important findings down the road.
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