Describe two historical events (united states only) 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. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 200 words in length.
Historical events in the United States have played a crucial role in shaping the ethical codes and regulations for nursing and healthcare research. Two significant events that have had a profound impact on the development of these ethical codes and regulations are the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the Belmont Report.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, conducted between 1932 and 1972, was a highly unethical research study that profoundly influenced the establishment of ethical codes for nursing and healthcare research. The study involved 600 African American men, 399 of whom had syphilis, while 201 were healthy individuals serving as controls. However, the researchers did not disclose the purpose of the study to participants nor provide them with proper treatment. As a result, participants were denied access to penicillin, a proven treatment for syphilis, leading to severe health consequences. This study violated several ethical principles, including informed consent, beneficence, and justice.
The impact of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study was twofold. Firstly, it led to the establishment of the National Research Act of 1974 which created the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. This commission aimed to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects participating in research. Consequently, the Belmont Report was produced in 1979, which outlined ethical principles for research involving human subjects. The principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice were emphasized, along with the importance of informed consent and the assessment of risks and benefits. The Tuskegee Study highlighted the urgent need for strict ethical guidelines and regulations to prevent such egregious violations from occurring in the future.
The second significant historical event that influenced the development of ethical codes for nursing and healthcare research was the Belmont Report. This report followed the disclosure of unethical research practices across various disciplines. The Belmont Report represented the culmination of extensive discussions and deliberations by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
The impact of the Belmont Report on ethical codes and regulations was profound. It provided a framework for ethical decision-making in research involving human subjects and introduced three fundamental ethical principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Respect for persons emphasized the importance of autonomy, informed consent, and protecting the rights of individuals. Beneficence stressed the obligation to maximize benefits and minimize harms for research participants. Justice emphasized the fair distribution of benefits and burdens of research. The report also introduced the concept of risk-benefit analysis, necessitating researchers to evaluate and justify the risks and benefits associated with their studies.
The Belmont Report significantly influenced the establishment of ethical codes and regulations in various fields, including nursing and healthcare research. These ethical principles and framework have been incorporated into numerous codes and guidelines, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines for research involving human subjects. Research institutions and organizations now have comprehensive guidelines in place to ensure ethical practice in nursing and healthcare research.
In conclusion, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the Belmont Report are two historical events that have profoundly influenced the development of ethical codes and regulations for nursing and healthcare research in the United States. These events highlighted the importance of respecting and protecting the rights and welfare of research participants. As a result, the National Research Act of 1974, the Belmont Report, and subsequent guidelines and codes have provided a robust framework for ethical decision-making, safeguarding the well-being of individuals involved in research.