314512 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Nuremberg, Primum Non Nocere
Ethics → define what is a right and wrong thing to do in society; it guides what is morally acceptable
and unacceptable in a population.
The heart of ethics is informed consent. Protects the right of the individual to control his own body.
It must provide all the information about the study; explain benefits and risks as well as any
withdrawals.
As a minimum, every study should demonstrate that the researcher has considered all potential
threats to vulnerability and has taken appropriate action where required. The problem for society
oers the fat that o asolute laws eist to defie what is or is’t orall right, as ethial
principles are formed by culture, religion and life experiences. If researchers were to practice
according to their individual principles assuring the rights and dignity of participants would be
impossible; therefore, some universal ethical codes have been devised as a guide:
- Any actions must produce benefit for the patient (Beneficence);
- Patient confidentiality must be preserved through protection of data and privacy;
- Professionalism and dedication must be adhered to, implying that doctors must not work for
their own benefit and must be beyond corruption.
5 Current principles:
- Non-Maleficence (do no harm to the patient) & Beneficence (benefiting the patient and
wider population). Safeguard the welfare and rights of all and resolve conflicts.
- Fidelity (the extent to which the delivery of an intervention adheres to the model originally
developed) & responsibility. Be a role model for your colleagues.
- Integrity – the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
- Justice – a balanced decision of who gets what
- Respect for others rights and dignity (Honesty – truthfulness and respect for the concept of
informed consent)
The Nuremburg Code → published in 1947 in response to Nazi atrocities.
1. The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. This means that the
person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be so situated as to be
able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force,
fraud, deceit, duress, overreaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion; and
should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter
involved as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision. This latter
element requires that before the acceptance of an affirmative decision by the experimental
subject there should be made known to him the nature, duration, and purpose of the
experiment; the method and means by which it is to be conducted; all inconveniences and
hazards reasonably to be expected; and the effects upon his health or person which may
possibly come from his participation in the experiment. Evidence Informed Health Practice
CMHL1001 © Health Sciences 2/2 2/2 The duty and responsibility for ascertaining the
quality of the consent rests upon each individual who initiates, directs, or engages in the
experiment. It is a personal duty and responsibility which may not be delegated to another
with impunity.
2. The experiment should be such as to yield fruitful results for the good of society,
unprocurable by other methods or means of study, and not random and unnecessary in
nature.
3. The experiment should be so designed and based on the results of animal experimentation
and knowledge of the natural history of the disease or other problem under study that the
anticipated results justify the performance of the experiment.
Week 9: Ethics
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Ethics define what is a right and wrong thing to do in society; it guides what is morally acceptable and unacceptable in a population. Protects the right of the individual to control his own body. It must provide all the information about the study; explain benefits and risks as well as any withdrawals. As a minimum, every study should demonstrate that the researcher has considered all potential threats to vulnerability and has taken appropriate action where required. The problem for society (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:272)er(cid:374)s the fa(cid:272)t that (cid:374)o a(cid:271)solute laws e(cid:454)ist to defi(cid:374)e what is or is(cid:374)"t (cid:373)orall(cid:455) right, as ethi(cid:272)al principles are formed by culture, religion and life experiences. If researchers were to practice according to their individual principles assuring the rights and dignity of participants would be impossible; therefore, some universal ethical codes have been devised as a guide: Any actions must produce benefit for the patient (beneficence); Patient confidentiality must be preserved through protection of data and privacy;
