Research Ethics and Notable Studies

This set of flashcards covers essential concepts, ethical violations, and significant studies in research ethics, focusing on the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Stanley Milgram's experiments, and the Framingham Heart Study.

What is the key historical study that raised significant ethical concerns regarding medical research on humans?

Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

What years did the Tuskegee Syphilis Study take place?

1932-1972.

What was the purpose of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

To study the progression of untreated syphilis in Black men.

How many Black men were recruited for the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

600 Black men.

What percentage of participants in the Milgram experiment continued to the highest voltage of 450 volts?

65% (two-thirds).

What psychological concept did Stanley Milgram's experiment explore?

The conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience.

What was one of the unethical practices in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

No informed consent was collected from participants.

What incentives were offered to men participating in the Tuskegee study?

Free medical exams, meals, and burial insurance.

What major legislation followed the revelations of the Tuskegee Study?

The National Research Act of 1973.

What was the Belmont Report?

A document outlining ethical principles for research involving human subjects.

Who was Henrietta Lacks?

A woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line without her consent.

What are HeLa cells?

Immortal cells derived from Henrietta Lacks that have been used in countless medical studies.

What important medical advancement was associated with the HeLa cells?

Development of treatments and research for various diseases, including cancer.

What was the focus of the Framingham Heart Study?

Cardiovascular health and modifiable risk factors.

When did informed consent begin in the Framingham Heart Study?

1971.

What key term was introduced in the Framingham Heart Study in 1961?

Risk factor.

What major finding was published from the Framingham Heart Study in 1957?

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels increase likelihood of heart disease.

What ethical responsibility do researchers have when using deception in research?

To conduct debriefing that explains the deception and its necessity.

What does IRB stand for?

Institutional Review Board.

What principle guides the ethical conduct of research according to the Belmont Report?

Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

What was one outcome of the ethical failures of the Tuskegee Study?

Increased regulation and oversight of human subjects research.

What health issues were participants in the Tuskegee Study suffering from?

Syphilis, among other ailments described as 'bad blood'.

What did Stanley Milgram's experiment demonstrate about authority figures?

People are likely to follow orders from authority figures even if it means harming others.

What actions did the U.S. Public Health Service take during the Tuskegee Study despite knowing about an effective treatment for syphilis?

They withheld treatment and only provided placebos.

How many years did participants in the Tuskegee Study go untreated?

40 years.

What was the significance of the whistleblower in the Tuskegee Study?

Their leak led to public awareness and eventual cessation of the study.

What was the HeLa cell line used for in the scientific community?

For research in cancer treatments and various biomedical studies.

What does the term 'debriefing' refer to in research ethics?

The process of informing participants about the true nature of the study after participation.

What was one of the most distressing results of the Milgram Experiment?

Participants showed extreme levels of stress while administering electric shocks.

What was a key ethical issue raised by the case of Henrietta Lacks?

Lack of informed consent for the use of her tissue samples.

What major breakthrough occurred in 1973 related to human subject research?

The passing of the National Research Act.

What health conditions did the Framingham Heart Study help identify as risk factors for heart disease?

Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

What percentage of participants in the Milgram Experiment only continued to 300 volts?

100% of participants continued to 300 volts.

How did the National Research Act aim to enhance research ethics?

By establishing regulations for human research and requiring IRBs.

What ethical principle could be violated through the use of deception in experiments?

Informed consent.

What is the primary ethical challenge that led to the establishment of the Belmont Report?

To address ethical issues arising from research conduct with human subjects.

Why did the Framingham Heart Study have significant implications for public health?

It provided foundational knowledge about heart disease and risk factors.

What learning outcome do researchers hope to achieve by obtaining informed consent?

To ensure participants are fully aware of the study's purpose and risks.

What controversial element did the Milgram Experiments include?

Deception about the nature of the experiment.

What societal impacts did the Tuskegee Syphilis Study have on trust in medical institutions?

It significantly eroded trust within African-American communities.

What health advancements were possible due to research utilizing HeLa cells?

Advancements in cancer treatment, vaccine development, and genetics.

What was the claim of the publication on Tuskegee Study victims in The New York Times?

Victims went untreated for 40 years despite available treatments.

What did the official presidential apology in 1997 acknowledge?

The unethical nature of the Tuskegee Study and its lasting effects.

What event was pivotal in raising awareness about the ethical issues related to human research in the 1970s?

The exposure of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

What did the Framingham Heart Study reveal about the relationship between social networks and health?

Obesity appears to spread through social ties.

Why is informed consent crucial in research involving human subjects?

It respects autonomy and provides transparency regarding participation risks.

What ethical concern arises from using vulnerable populations in research?

Exploitation and lack of equal treatment under research regulations.

What is considered a minimal risk in research ethics?

Risk of harm that is no greater than what is experienced in daily life.

How did Henrietta Lacks' contribution to science happen without her knowledge?

Her cells were taken during treatment without informed consent.

Why is the Framingham Heart Study referred to as the 'crown jewel of epidemiology'?

It has significantly shaped understanding of cardiovascular health over the decades.

What type of study design is characterized by participants being observed over time without interventions?

A longitudinal cohort study.

What ethical framework does the Belmont Report establish for human subjects research?

It identifies basic ethical principles, including respect, beneficence, and justice.

What action must researchers take if they utilize deception in their study?

They must provide a thorough debriefing after the experiment.

In what context did the term 'risk factor' become significant?

In the context of heart disease research initiated by the Framingham Heart Study.

What factor in the Milgram experiment raised questions about the limits of obedience?

The extent to which individuals follow harmful instructions from authority figures.

What social context contributed to the initiation of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

Widespread health disparities and systemic racism in the U.S. medical system.

What ethical violation was demonstrated in the case of Henrietta Lacks?

Taking biological samples without informed consent.

What was a commonality between the Tuskegee Study and the Milgram Experiment?

Both raised critical ethical questions regarding human subjects in research.

What was the ultimate goal of the Framingham Heart Study?

To understand and prevent heart disease.

What does the term 'informed consent' imply in research practices?

Participants are fully knowledgeable about the study and agree to participate.

How did the revelation of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study impact policy in medical research?

It led to stricter regulations and oversight on human subjects research.

In the context of the Milgram Experiment, what did the term 'teacher' refer to?

Participants who administered shocks to the 'students'.

How many men were initially part of the control group in the Tuskegee study?

201 men without syphilis.

What ethical failure is highlighted by the Tuskegee Study in research practices?

Failure to provide informed consent and treatment.