Biotherapy: Medical

Experiments



by: Ahmad Hakmi
Ethical Standards in Medical Experiments

Respecting Participant Rights and Well-being

1. Ethical standards ensure that participants' autonomy is respected, allowing them to make informed decisions about
their participation.
2. Informed consent is a key ethical principle, ensuring that participants are fully aware of the risks and benefits of the
experiment before giving their consent.
3. The principle of nonmaleficence ensures that participants are not harmed during the experiment, and measures are
taken to minimize any potential risks.
4. Beneficence requires that the experiment is conducted with the goal of maximizing benefits for participants and
society as a whole.
5. The principle of justice ensures that the benefits and burdens of the experiment are distributed fairly among
participants, without discrimination or exploitation.
The Concept of Autonomy

Definition of Autonomy Freedom of Choice

Autonomy refers to an individual's right to make Autonomy requires that participants have the freedom to
decisions about their own body and health. choose whether or not to participate in an experiment.
Informed Consent

Informed consent is a critical component of ethical medical experiments. It ensures that participants are fully informed
about the nature of the experiment, its potential risks and benefits, and their rights as participants. Informed consent
must be obtained voluntarily, without coercion or manipulation.
Nonmaleficence

Principle of Doing No Harm

In the context of medical experiments, nonmaleficence is the principle that researchers must adhere to, ensuring that
no harm is caused to the participants. It is the responsibility of the researchers to take all necessary precautions to
minimize the risks and potential harm to the participants.
The well-being and safety of the participants should always be the top priority. This means that researchers must
carefully design and conduct experiments, ensuring that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Ethical standards
and guidelines are in place to govern medical experiments and protect the rights and well-being of the participants.
Beneficence

Beneficence is the principle of promoting the well-being of others. In medical experiments, it means that researchers
must strive to maximize the benefits for participants while minimizing any potential harm. The potential benefits of the
experiment should outweigh the risks.
Justice
Fair Distribution of Benefits and
Burdens
In the context of medical
experiments, justice requires that
the benefits and burdens of
research are distributed fairly
among participants. This means
that participants should have
access to any potential benefits that
may arise from the research, while
also being protected from any
potential harm or burden.
Unbiased Selection of Participants
To ensure justice in medical
experiments, researchers must
strive for an unbiased selection of
participants. This means that the
selection process should be based
on objective criteria and not
influenced by factors such as race,
gender, or socioeconomic status.
By selecting participants in a fair
and equitable manner, researchers
can minimize the risk of bias and
ensure that the benefits and
burdens of research are distributed
fairly.
Protection of Vulnerable
Populations
Justice also requires that vulnerable
populations are not exploited in
medical experiments. Vulnerable
populations, such as children,
prisoners, and individuals with
cognitive impairments, may be at a
higher risk of harm or may have
limited capacity to provide informed
consent. It is the responsibility of
researchers to ensure that these
populations are not unduly coerced
or taken advantage of in the pursuit
of scientific knowledge.
Unethical Medical Experiment

Background
In 1932, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study was conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service to study the natural progression
of syphilis in African American men. The study involved withholding treatment from participants who had syphilis, even
after penicillin became widely available as a cure.
Ethical Principles Violated
• Informed Consent: Participants were not fully informed about the nature of the study or the risks involved. They
were not given the option to withdraw from the study once it had begun.
• Beneficence: The study did not prioritize the well-being of participants, as they were not provided with appropriate
treatment for their condition.
• Respect for Persons: Participants were not treated with respect or dignity, as they were subjected to a study that
involved withholding treatment and causing harm to their health.
Potential Harm Caused
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study caused significant harm to participants, as they were denied appropriate treatment for
their condition and were subjected to a study that involved withholding treatment. Many participants died as a result of
the study, and those who did receive treatment were often given inadequate care.