True or False: Informed consent is required for all three clinical phases of drug trials.

Informed consent is indeed required for all three clinical phases of drug trials. This is a foundational ethical principle in clinical research that ensures participants are fully informed about the nature of the study, potential risks and benefits, and their right to withdraw at any time without penalty.

During Phase I trials, which typically focus on safety and dosage, participants need to understand the experimental nature of the treatment and any potential side effects. In Phase II trials, where the effectiveness of the drug is further evaluated, informed consent remains critical as participants are still subject to experimental conditions. Finally, in Phase III trials, which assess the drug's effectiveness in a larger population and compare it to standard treatments, obtaining informed consent is essential to ensure that participants are aware of the trial's purpose, procedures, and any potential risks.

This requirement for informed consent across all phases protects the autonomy of participants and promotes trust in the research process, making it an integral component of ethical medical experimentation.