You Have Just Been Hired As A Research Assistant For 123032

You Have Just Been Hired As a Research Assistant For A Hospital Where

Create a PowerPoint presentation that examines historical issues in human research and how this relates to current research practices. Select one of the articles listed above on the following historical research projects: Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Henrietta Lacks, Nazi Medical Experiments, or Thalidomide Trials.

Paper For Above instruction

The history of human research is marked by numerous ethical breaches that have shaped the development of current research guidelines and practices. Among these, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study stands out as a notorious example of ethical misconduct, revealing the extent to which vulnerable populations can be exploited in the absence of strict ethical oversight. This study, conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972, involved observing untreated syphilis in African American men without informing them of their disease or providing treatment, thereby violating fundamental principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice (Mackey-Kallis, 2019). The revelations of such unethical procedures prompted significant reforms, including the establishment of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the development of ethical standards to protect human research subjects.

Similarly, the case of Henrietta Lacks highlights issues related to consent and the use of biological materials. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman suffering from cervical cancer, had her tumor cells taken without her consent. These cells, labeled HeLa cells, became the first immortal human cell line and revolutionized biomedical research, contributing to numerous scientific breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine (Gabbay, 2012). However, the lack of informed consent and the commercialization of her cells raise ethical questions about respect for individuals and their biological products. This case led to increased awareness and calls for explicit consent procedures in biomedicine.

The Nazi medical experiments conducted during World War II represent some of the most heinous violations of human rights in scientific research. Nazi physicians undertook experiments involving exposure to extreme conditions, chemical tests, and harmful procedures without consent, resulting in devastating suffering and death (Naming the victims of Nazi medicine, 2017). The Nuremberg Trials subsequently established the Nuremberg Code, emphasizing voluntary consent and the necessity of beneficence in human experimentation. These horrific events underscored the importance of stringent ethical oversight and international agreements to prevent future abuses.

In contrast, the Thalidomide trials of the late 1950s and early 1960s exemplify issues related to drug safety and post-marketing surveillance. Thalidomide, initially marketed as a safe sleep aid, caused severe birth defects in thousands of infants when taken by pregnant women, prompting regulatory changes worldwide, including more rigorous testing and approval processes for pharmaceuticals (Thomas, 2020). This tragedy underscored the importance of comprehensive clinical trials, informed consent, and continuous monitoring of drug effects after approval.

These historical cases collectively demonstrate how ethical violations in human research have led to the development of robust ethical frameworks, such as the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. They emphasize key ethical principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Understanding these incidents informs current practices, ensuring that research is conducted responsibly, transparently, and with respect for participant rights.

In conclusion, reviewing these episodes of unethical research underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, ethical education, and strict regulatory oversight in biomedical research. Lessons learned from past misconduct have been instrumental in shaping modern ethical standards, fostering trust, and ensuring the protection of human subjects in research endeavors today.

References

• Mackey-Kallis, S. (2019). Tuskegee experiment. Salem Press Encyclopedia.
• Gabbay, F. H. (2012). An American woman and the right to health. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 75(2), 113–119.
• Naming the victims of Nazi medicine. (2017). The Lancet.
• Thomas, K. (2020, Mar 24). Thalidomide’s legacy: [Correction]. New York Times.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Fletcher, J. (2017). The ethics of research with human subjects. Routledge.
• Resnik, D. B. (2018). The ethics of research with human subjects: Protecting human research participants. Springer.
• World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA, 310(20), 2191-2194.
• National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report.
• United States Department of Health & Human Services. (2018). Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 46: Protecting Human Subjects.