Author Question: From an ethical point of view, what is the point of determining that a potential research subject is ... (Read 232 times)

fahad · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

From an ethical point of view, what is the point of determining that a potential research subject is incompetent?

a. An incompetent subject must receive more extensive explanation before consenting to participate in research.
b. According to HIPAA, a different level of records security must ensue.
c. Inclusion of the subject necessitates a different consenting process.
d. The researcher has a responsibility to exclude all incompetent persons from research participation.

Question 2

Dr. Adamson is conducting research on a new and promising chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer that improves survival and decreases adverse symptoms.

Sixty subjects will be recruited; of these, thirty will be assigned to the experimental group, receiving the new treatment, and thirty to the control group, receiving the usual chemotherapy. His wife, newly diagnosed with breast cancer, is randomly assigned to the treatment group; he removes her from the treatment group and places her in the experimental group. What ethical violation has occurred?
a. Mrs. Adamson has a right to self-determination: her husband has decided her group assignment for her.
b. Mrs. Adamson's husband has no right to know about her breast cancer: this is a violation of confidentiality.
c. Mrs. Adamson shouldn't be a member of the study: it's a conflict of interest.
d. Mrs. Adamson has no right to be included in the experimental group: it unfairly excludes someone else from this special benefit.

brittanywood · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Some persons have diminished autonomy or are vulnerable and less advantaged because of legal or mental incompetence, terminal illness, or confinement to an institution. These persons require additional protection of their right to self-determination, because they have a decreased ability, or an inability, to give informed consent. In addition, these persons are vulnerable to coercion and deception.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
A concern with subject selection that is related to justice is that some researchers select certain people as subjects because they like them and want them to receive the specific benefits of a study. Other researchers have been swayed by power or money to make certain individuals subjects so that they can receive potentially beneficial treatments. It is especially important in research not to show preference in assigning subjects. That is the benefit of random assignment: it is fair.