3-3: From Moral Principles to Ethics Codes

Question 1

How did the Nuremberg Code (WWII) influece ethics?

Answer 1

It was particularly clear aboutt he importance of carefully weighing risks against benefits and the need for informed consent.

Question 2

How did the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) influence ethics?

Answer 2

Outlined how research with human participants should be based on a written protocol—a detailed description of the research—that is reviewed by an independent committee.

Question 3

How did the Belmont report impact ethics?

Answer 3

Explicitly outlined principles of justice, respect for persons, and beneficence in response to the Tuskegee study.

Tuskegee Study: Researchers took poor African people and did studies on them. They’d give them syphilis, and they’d tell them they were treated for “bad blood”. In reality, they were deceived, and the unwilling African participants were studied for the long term effects of the disease.

Question 4

Define

The Ethical Review Board (ERB)

Also known as the Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Answer 4

A committee that is responsible for reviewing research protocals for potential ethical problems.

Question 5

How many people must an IRB consist of?

Answer 5

At least five people with varying backgrounds—including members of different professions, scientists, non-scientists, men and women, and at least one person not otherwise affiliated with the institution.

Question 6

What does the IRB help make sure of?

Answer 6

1. The risks of the proposed research are minimized
2. The benefits outweigh the risks
3. The research is carried out in a fair manner
4. The informed consent procedure is adequate