seeding trials are not illegal, but such practices are considered unethical. the obfuscation of true trial objectives (primarily marketing) prevents the proper establishment of informed consent for patient decisions. additionally, trial physicians are not informed of the hidden trial objectives, which may include the physicians themselves being intended study subjects (such as in undisclosed evaluations of prescription practices). seeding trials may also utilize inappropriate promotional rewards, which may exert undue influence or coerce desirable outcomes.