This Week You Will Examine The Concept Of Protecting Humans

This Week You Will Examine The Concept Of Protecting Human Subjects In

This week you will examine the concept of protecting human subjects in research. The aim is to familiarize you with the ethical issues associated with research and gain firsthand information of the processes used to protect research participants. Search YouTube for the following videos to review: Caring Corrupted: The Killing Nurses of the Third Reich, Research Ethics involving Human Subjects, The Belmont Report (Part One: Basic Ethical Principles), The Belmont Report (Part Two: Applying the Principles), Guiding Principles of Institutional Review Boards (IRB). After viewing the videos, in a Microsoft Word document of 2-3 pages formatted in APA style, address the following criteria for each video: Describe one point from each video that you think is important regarding protecting human subjects in research. Your rationale for why you think the point you described is important.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ethical principles surrounding the protection of human subjects in research are fundamental to conducting responsible and humane studies. Various resources, including documentaries and reports, emphasize the importance of safeguarding participants’ rights and well-being. This paper reviews five videos: Caring Corrupted: The Killing Nurses of the Third Reich, Research Ethics involving Human Subjects, The Belmont Report (Part One: Basic Ethical Principles), The Belmont Report (Part Two: Applying the Principles), and Guiding Principles of Institutional Review Boards (IRB). For each, a key point pertinent to protecting human subjects is identified, along with an explanation of its significance.

Caring Corrupted: The Killing Nurses of the Third Reich

A significant point from this documentary is the moral failure of medical professionals during the Nazi era who carried out unethical experiments and killings under the guise of science. This historical example underscores the importance of ethical oversight in research to prevent atrocities. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when medical professionals abandon moral principles—specifically respect for human dignity and autonomy—highlighted in current ethical standards. Recognizing this atrocity emphasizes the necessity of strict ethical regulation and oversight, such as that provided by IRBs, to ensure human subjects are protected from harm and unethical experimentation.

Research Ethics involving Human Subjects

This video emphasizes the importance of informed consent, which allows research participants to voluntarily agree to participate after understanding the nature of the research, risks, and benefits. I believe this point is crucial because respecting autonomy is a core principle of ethical research, ensuring that individuals maintain control over their participation. Without informed consent, participants might unknowingly be subjected to risks or manipulations, violating their rights and dignity. Therefore, this process upholds respect for persons and fosters trust between researchers and participants—an essential component of ethical research practices.

The Belmont Report (Part One: Basic Ethical Principles)

A key point from this segment is the principle of beneficence, which requires researchers to maximize potential benefits and minimize possible harms to participants. This principle is critical because it directly relates to the duty of researchers to protect participants from unnecessary risks and ensure their welfare. Upholding beneficence involves rigorous risk assessment and the implementation of safeguards, reinforcing trust in scientific inquiry. It guides researchers to weigh the risks and benefits carefully and to design studies that prioritize participant safety.

The Belmont Report (Part Two: Applying the Principles)

This part highlights the application of the principle of justice, which ensures equitable selection of research subjects. I find this point important because justice prevents exploitation of vulnerable populations and guarantees that the burdens and benefits of research are fairly distributed. For example, historically, vulnerable groups such as prisoners or minority populations were exploited in research. Applying the principle of justice ensures that research benefits are accessible to all and that no group bears an undue burden, reinforcing fairness and respect for human dignity.

Guiding Principles of Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

A notable point from this video is that IRBs serve as gatekeepers to protect human subjects by reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met before studies begin. I consider this point vital because IRBs institutionalize oversight, making sure that ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice are integrated into research design. Their role provides accountability and consistency, helping prevent unethical research practices and safeguarding participants’ rights.

Conclusion

The review of these resources highlights the critical importance of ethical principles like respect, beneficence, and justice in research involving human subjects. Historical atrocities, legal frameworks, and institutional oversight all serve to reinforce the need for rigorous protections to uphold human dignity and ensure responsible conduct in research. Adhering to these standards not only protects participants but also enhances the integrity and societal trust in scientific investigations.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Bell, S. (2014). The Belmont Report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. The Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 9(3), 17-23.

Gupta, S. (2019). Ethical considerations in research involving human subjects. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 4(2), 132-137.

Hoffman, F. (2016). Historical perspectives in research ethics: Lessons from abuse. Bioethics, 30(5), 351-358.

Lifton, R. J. (1986). The Nazi doctors: Medical killing and the psychology of evil. Basic Books.

National Institute of Health. (2018). Protecting Human Research Participants. NIH.

Resnik, D. B. (2018). The ethics of research with human subjects. The Hastings Center Report, 48(2), 26-34.

Tuckett, A. (2017). Ethical principles in research with human participants. Nursing Ethics, 24(3), 295-305.

World Health Organization. (2011). Standards and procedures for ethics review of health-related research. WHO.