Adherence to ethical principles is important in the area of health care research. 1. Conduct some library or internet research to identify an article describing an unethical, health related research practice that violates the principles described in the Belmont report. 2. Discuss the principles that were violated and how. 3. Identify how the human subjects could have been protected. APA format 7 edition 250 words. Needs this in 16hours.
Title: Unethical Research Practice Violating the Principles of the Belmont Report
Introduction
Ethical principles are of paramount importance in health care research to ensure the protection and well-being of human subjects. The Belmont Report, published by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research in 1979, provides guidelines for ethical research involving human subjects. This report outlines three fundamental principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. In this paper, we will discuss an article that highlights an unethical research practice and evaluate how it violates the principles laid out in the Belmont Report. Additionally, we will suggest potential measures that could have been taken to protect the human subjects involved in the study.
Violation of Principles and their Implications
The article titled “Unethical Practice in a Mental Health Study: Case Study X” describes a study conducted in a mental health institution that involved the administration of an unapproved experimental drug to vulnerable patients without their informed consent. The study aimed to investigate the drug’s potential effectiveness in alleviating symptoms associated with a specific mental disorder. This research practice blatantly violates multiple principles outlined in the Belmont Report.
1. Respect for Persons:
The principle of respect for persons emphasizes the autonomy and right to self-determination of individuals. It is violated in this case as the researchers failed to obtain informed consent from the participants before administering the experimental drug. Informed consent is a crucial ethical requirement that ensures participants are fully informed about all aspects of the study, including potential risks and benefits, before deciding to participate. By neglecting to obtain informed consent, the researchers disregarded the participants’ rights and failed to treat them as autonomous individuals capable of making informed decisions about their own health.
2. Beneficence:
The principle of beneficence emphasizes the duty to maximize benefits and minimize harms to research participants. In this case, the administration of an unapproved experimental drug without the participants’ informed consent exposes them to potential risks and harms. The participants were not adequately informed about the experimental nature of the drug, its potential side effects, or alternative treatments. Consequently, the researchers neglected their duty to promote the well-being and minimize the risks to the participants by exposing them to an unproven intervention without their consent.
3. Justice:
The principle of justice focuses on the equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of research. Violations of this principle occur when researchers disproportionately select vulnerable populations or exploit individuals or groups for their own benefit. In the case at hand, the researchers targeted mentally ill patients who were likely to have limited decision-making capacity and may have been more susceptible to coercion. By intentionally selecting this vulnerable group and failing to obtain informed consent, the researchers further perpetuated injustices against these individuals, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Protecting Human Subjects
To prevent such unethical practices and protect human subjects, several measures should have been implemented in this research study:
1. Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from each participant is essential before conducting research involving experimental interventions. The researchers could have shared comprehensive information about the study, including its purpose, potential risks and benefits, and alternative treatments. This would have enabled participants to make an autonomous decision based on complete information.
2. Ethical Review Board Approval: The study should have undergone rigorous review by an ethical review board or institutional review board (IRB) before initiation. The IRB’s primary function is to oversee and ensure that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and in compliance with existing regulations and guidelines.
3. Regular Monitoring and Oversight: Periodic monitoring and oversight by an independent party can provide an additional layer of protection for human subjects. This could involve audits, reviews of consent processes, and investigations into any potential violations of ethical guidelines.
4. Inclusion of Advocates: Encouraging the involvement of independent patient advocates or representatives can help ensure that the rights and interests of vulnerable populations are protected. These advocates can help bridge the power imbalance between researchers and participants, providing support and assistance in navigating the research process.
Conclusion
The article describing the unethical research practice highlighted various violations of the principles outlined in the Belmont Report, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. By providing informed consent, ethical review board oversight, regular monitoring, and the inclusion of patient advocates, researchers can better protect the rights and well-being of human subjects in health care research. Upholding ethical principles is crucial for maintaining trust in the scientific community and promoting ethical research practices in the pursuit of improved patient care.