The research was published in October in the journalScience Advances.
Protecting Women With Research
This study spurred from Smiths background in researching micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women.
“How competent are we about that?
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And how competent are we that we’re measuring the right thing?
They found that 23% percent of the research included only male participants.
The most technologically advanced nutritional studies were also least likely to include female participants.
Out of all the nutrient studies, only 17% included pregnant people or people who are lactating.
“For example, some researchers may be worried about risks to the fetus.”
Pregnant people should be protected through research rather than from research, Smith says.
This is only exacerbated when researchers are not accounting for race, geography, or background.
This paper here suggests that it could be better,” Smith says.
“So it’s already good, but could it be better probably with additional information.”
“Because in some things there are sex differences and in others, there aren’t.”
2021;7(43).
