Exam 2 - Hellman & Hellman: “Of Mice but Not Men: Problems of the Randomized Clinical Trial”

What is the “enrollment dilemma” that the Hellmans describe in their article, which suggests to them that randomized clinical trials in medicine should be replaced with other kinds of research methods?

If researchers act as scientists, and as such encourage their patients to enroll in RCTs, then they violate their primary duty as physicians if they happen to believe that one treatment option is best but don’t recommend it

If researchers act as physicians, and as such encourage their patients to accept the treatment option that they (the physicians) believe is best, then they violate their primary duty as scientists by not encouraging their patients to enroll in RCTs.

The Hellmans describe the enrollment dilemma in terms of a conflict between two different moral theories. What are they?

• Deontological (Kantian/rights-based) moral theory

• Consequentialist (utilitarian) moral theory

Which moral theory do the Hellmans apparently believe morally overrides the other in the case of biomedical research on human subjects? 

Researchers as scientists commit themselves to the consequentialist/utilitarian view that what’s right is to maximize the good, or well-being, of humanity in general

empty

empty