Describe two historical events that have influenced the development of ethical codes and regulations for nursing and healthcare research. Explain how each event has impacted ethical codes and regulations. Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Purchase the answer to view it
Historical events often play a pivotal role in shaping the ethical codes and regulations that govern nursing and healthcare research. Two such events that have had a profound impact on the development of these codes are the Nuremberg Trials and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.
The Nuremberg Trials, which took place after World War II, involved the prosecution of Nazi doctors and other medical professionals who had conducted unethical experiments on prisoners in concentration camps. The atrocities committed during these experiments brought to light the need for ethical guidelines when conducting research on human subjects. As a result, the Nuremberg Code was developed.
The Nuremberg Code, first published in 1947, established ten basic principles to guide researchers in conducting ethical research with human subjects. These principles include the requirement of informed consent, the need for research to be based on sound scientific evidence, and the importance of minimizing risks to participants. The Nuremberg Code laid the foundation for subsequent ethical codes and regulations, including the Declaration of Helsinki.
The impact of the Nuremberg Code on ethical codes and regulations is evident in the widespread adoption and incorporation of its principles into international guidelines for research ethics. For example, the Declaration of Helsinki, developed by the World Medical Association, directly references the Nuremberg Code and expands upon its principles. The Declaration provides guidelines for the conduct of medical research involving human subjects and is considered one of the most influential documents in the field of research ethics.
The Nuremberg Trials also had a lasting impact on the regulation of research ethics. In the United States, following the Nuremberg Trials, the National Institutes of Health established the Institutional Review Board (IRB) system. IRBs are responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure that they meet ethical standards and protect the rights and welfare of human subjects. The establishment of the IRB system was a direct response to the ethical violations uncovered during the Nuremberg Trials and has since become an integral part of the research process.
Another historical event that has significantly influenced the development of ethical codes and regulations is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. This study, conducted by the United States Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972, involved the unethical withholding of treatment for syphilis in African American men, even after the discovery of penicillin as a cure for the disease. The study violated basic ethical principles, including informed consent, beneficence, and justice.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study brought to light the need for informed consent, the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, and the necessity of ensuring that research is conducted ethically. In response to the ethical breaches uncovered in the study, numerous reforms were implemented to protect human subjects in research. These reforms included the establishment of the Belmont Report and the subsequent development of regulations such as the Common Rule.
The Belmont Report, published in 1979, outlined three fundamental ethical principles for research involving human subjects: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. These principles have since been incorporated into ethical codes and regulations around the world. For example, the U.S. federal regulations known as the Common Rule require that research involving human subjects be conducted in accordance with these principles.
In conclusion, the Nuremberg Trials and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study are two historical events that have significantly influenced the development of ethical codes and regulations for nursing and healthcare research. These events exposed egregious ethical violations and led to the establishment of guidelines and regulations to protect the rights and welfare of research participants. The Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki, as well as the establishment of the Institutional Review Board system, were direct responses to the ethical breaches uncovered during the Nuremberg Trials. Similarly, the unethical conduct in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study led to the development of the Belmont Report and regulations such as the Common Rule. These events serve as reminders of the importance of ethically sound research practices and the need for continued vigilance in protecting human subjects in research.