topics of study or discussion; people under the rule of a monarch
from Latin subjectus 'placed under'
topics or citizens
In medical research, 'subjects' (historically predominantly male) reflected systemic male bias in clinical trials. Women were excluded under paternalistic protection, then stereotyped as unreliable due to menstruation, delaying treatments tailored to female physiology.
Use 'participants' for research; 'subjects' carries clinical distance and historical baggage of non-consent and objectification.
["participants","volunteers","people","study participants"]
Women's historical exclusion from research meant medications were dosed for male bodies; advocate for sex-disaggregated data and inclusion of women in all phases.
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