Kalshi and Polymarket bets on clinical trials criticized as 'ghastly'

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have begun offering contracts tied to the results of clinical trials, allowing traders to speculate on whether a drug will succeed or fail. Critics argue this commodifies human suffering and could create perverse incentives, such as betting against treatments that patients desperately need. Proponents counter that such markets can aggregate information and improve forecasting in drug development. The controversy highlights the growing intersection of financial speculation and biomedical research, raising questions about ethics, regulation, and the potential impact on public trust in clinical trials. No regulatory action has been announced yet, but the backlash may prompt oversight discussions.