Write an essay that talks about human research projects where participants have been abused and their rights violated and give the example of the study. Write about why the IRB (Institutional Review Board) or the Belmont Principles are important to protect participants. Minimum two paragraphs and reference. Avoid plagiarism, write in APA style 7
Title: Safeguarding Participant Rights: Ensuring Ethical Conduct in Human Research
Introduction:
Human research projects play a vital role in advancing knowledge and improving the quality of life for individuals and society at large. However, throughout history, numerous instances of abuse and violations of participants’ rights in research studies have been documented. Such incidents highlight the importance of establishing and adhering to rigorous ethical guidelines for research. In this essay, we will explore the significance of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Belmont Principles in safeguarding participant rights. By drawing on the unethical Tuskegee syphilis study as an example, we will underscore the necessity of ethical oversight and discuss how the IRB and the Belmont Principles serve as crucial gatekeepers to protect participants in human research.
Paragraph 1:
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an essential component of any reputable research institution, tasked with reviewing and approving research protocols involving human participants. The primary goal of an IRB is to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of research participants. These boards consist of multidisciplinary experts who evaluate the scientific merit, methods, and ethical implications of proposed research studies, ensuring that participants are neither exploited nor harmed. The IRB’s oversight includes reviewing informed consent processes, monitoring research progress, and assessing the potential risks and benefits associated with the study.
To illustrate the importance of the IRB in protecting participant rights, we examine the deplorable Tuskegee syphilis study conducted between 1932 and 1972 in the United States. The study involved 600 African American men, 399 of whom had latent syphilis, while 201 were uninfected controls. However, these participants were deliberately misled by the researchers who promised them free medical treatment but instead left their syphilis untreated. This blatant disregard for the participants’ welfare resulted in severe health consequences, such as blindness, multiple disabilities, and even death. The Tuskegee study was only discontinued after a whistleblower exposed its unethical nature to the public, leading to significant reforms in research ethics. This case demonstrates the egregious abuses that can occur when research is conducted without the oversight and ethically informed decision-making processes provided by an IRB.
Paragraph 2:
The Belmont Principles, published in 1979 by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, provide a framework that guides ethical decision-making in human research. These principles consist of three fundamental elements: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Respect for persons entails acknowledging individual autonomy and protecting the rights of participants to make informed decisions about their involvement in research. Beneficence emphasizes acting in the best interest of participants, ensuring their safety, well-being, and minimizing potential harm. Justice addresses the fair and equitable distribution of research risks and benefits across different populations.
The implementation of the Belmont Principles is of paramount importance in preventing abuses and violations of participant rights in research studies. For example, the Tuskegee study flagrantly violated all three principles. Participants were deprived of their autonomy and deceived through an inadequate informed consent process. The absence of beneficence is evident in the researchers’ failure to provide adequate medical treatment for participants with syphilis. Additionally, the study displayed an unjust distribution of risks and benefits as the vulnerable African American population was excessively burdened without receiving any meaningful benefits.
In conclusion, the protection of participant rights in human research is of utmost significance. The establishment of an IRB and adherence to the Belmont Principles are vital to ensure ethical conduct and prevent the repeated occurrence of abuses witnessed throughout history. The Tuskegee syphilis study serves as a stark example of the consequences when research is conducted without appropriate ethical oversight. By upholding and applying rigorous ethical standards, research institutions and investigators can uphold the dignity and well-being of research participants, generating knowledge that benefits society in an ethical and responsible manner.
References:
AuthorLastName, AuthorFirstNameInitial. (PublicationYear). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), PageRange.
AuthorLastName, AuthorFirstNameInitial. (PublicationYear). Title of the book (Edition). Publisher.
National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html