Protection of Human Subjects
Cover Page
Protection of Human Subjects
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Instructor's Name
Course
Date
Professional Complicity in Nazi Medical Atrocities
Caring Corrupted: The Killing Nurses of the Third Reich
The video explores medical professionals' role in unethical human medical experiments in Germany during the Nazi regime. It discusses the nurses who killed disabled, mentally ill, and infirm individuals at the behest of the Third Reich (Cizik School of Nursing, n.d). Instead of relieving the anguish of the vulnerable and disregarding immoral commands, the morally corrupt nurses abandoned all professionalism, obligation, and sympathy, subsequently taking part in the genocide. Without their knowledge or permission, regime prisoners in detention camps and hospitals were used as experimental subjects (Cizik School of Nursing, n.d). Notable among the scientific trials were twin control experiments performed at Auschwitz-Birkenau facilities.
The significance of governmental and societal pressures on ethical behavior is one aspect of human research safety that stands out in the video. The political justification and implementation of policies based on the ideas of racism and eugenics led to the crimes in Germany (Cizik School of Nursing, n.d). The two ideas fostered the belief that some people could be disregarded because of particular traits they possessed, which significantly influenced the medical professionals of the time.
Historical Development of Ethical Protections for Human Research Participants
Research Ethics Involving Human Subjects
The video mainly highlights the history of American research ethics and laws. According to Daigle (2014), there were no restrictions on how research was carried out in the United States before 1906. Notable examples of unethical human research from the film encompass the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in Alabama and the Nazi medical experiments in Germany (Daigle, 2014).
Notable examples of unethical human research from the film encompass the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in Alabama and the Nazi medical experiments in Germany (Daigle, 2014). Identifying specific ethical guidelines for studies involving human subjects is critical. With the help of these guidelines, it will be easier to identify and stop violations of the protection of human subjects throughout the conduct and evaluation of research studies (Daigle, 2014). In addition, with these guidelines in place, the rights of human subjects involved in research will be protected and safeguarded.
Fundamental Ethical Principles of the Belmont Report
Belmont Report Part 1
The video briefly analyzes the three fundamental ethical guidelines for using human subjects in research that were included in the 1979 Belmont Report. The report lays out procedures to ensure these ideas are upheld throughout the research process. Due to the atrocities committed against human victims during World War II, ethical principles are necessary. Justice, beneficence, and respect for persons are the three main ethical concepts outlined in the Belmont Report. Following the exposure of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study incident, a special commission was established to address significant loopholes in U.S. bioethics legislation (Irbmed, 2011). The report summarized its findings.
While it seems likely that the need to involve humans in scientific research will persist, it is crucial to remember that it is possible to prevent such research from being conducted unethically (Irbmed, 2011). The Belmont Report's fundamental ethical guidelines are the cornerstone for institutional review boards and researchers in all human subjects research.
Practical Application of Belmont Report Principles
Belmont Report Part 2
The video's key application areas highlight the three fundamental ethical principles described in Part 2 of the Belmont Report. They include obtaining informed consent, weighing the risks and benefits, and selecting human subjects for scientific research (Irbmed, 2011). Irbmed observes that the study also provides a more thorough explanation of what each application entails for the parties concerned.
The complexity of using human subjects in research is largely attributed to these application areas. The ethical principles and the domains in which they are applied further emphasize the importance of human life and the necessity of protecting and preserving it.
Institutional Oversight and Protection of Human Research Participants
Institutional Review Board Safeguards
In this video, research-based Johns Hopkins Hospital employees describe how the institutional review board (IRB) system is used there. There are many safeguards in each of the healthcare facility's six IRBs to protect human research participants (John Hopkins Medicine, 2015). One example is how these boards recognize diversity and use a multidisciplinary approach to decision-making.
The protection of human subjects is equally essential to an organization's dedication to the ethical conduct of human research, as demonstrated at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Also, achieving the ethical principles that such research should follow depends on the openness and accountability of such institutions. When a healthcare organization is in a position to achieve and maintain these standards, it becomes easier to enhance the protection of human subjects during the research process.
Sources on Human Research Ethics and Institutional Oversight
Cizik School of Nursing. (n.d.). Caring corrupted: The killing nurses of the third reich. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz8ge4aw8Ws
Daigle D. (2014). Research ethics involving human subjects. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5gsF5oyls
Irbmed. (2011). Belmont report Part 1. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86zWBjDaXPk
Irbmed. (2011). Belmont report part 2. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIafASIIU70
John Hopkins Medicine. (2015). IRB (Institutional Review Board). YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFik0of3iUM