tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post9008733934768775873..comments2023-10-29T10:32:36.914-04:00Comments on Philosophy, et cetera: Myopic Medical EthicsRichard Y Chappellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16725218276285291235noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-30227899247339467092008-01-11T14:44:00.000-05:002008-01-11T14:44:00.000-05:00yup - medical ethics is evil.OK things could be wo...yup - medical ethics is evil.<BR/><BR/>OK things could be worse, but they could be a hell of a lot better.Geniushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11624496692217466430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-59567273718152128422008-01-11T10:36:00.000-05:002008-01-11T10:36:00.000-05:00David - I agree that ethicists are necessary in so...David - I agree that ethicists are necessary in <I>some</I> circumstances, e.g. vetting research that involves deception. But not here.<BR/><BR/>Also, note that my second point was not strictly "utilitarian", but the far more mundane point that many of us would happily <I>volunteer</I> to aid our loved ones. (This is quite a different matter from forced sacrifice to benefit strangers!)Richard Y Chappellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16725218276285291235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-88689152373530634802008-01-11T03:51:00.000-05:002008-01-11T03:51:00.000-05:00I wouldn't jump the gun here and point it at medic...I wouldn't jump the gun here and point it at medical ethicists.<BR/><BR/>This is a narrow reading of principle at play and I would agree with the commentators at Jane's blog, I doubt this is the main factor involved with the lack of such a pill. I certainly doubt it would deter researchers even if it may make it harder to get past an ethics committee. <BR/><BR/>The principle that is usually applied is that if there is some risk of harm to the research participant there must be some proportionate chance and level of benefit for the participant. I don't think this has to read only in terms of health. <BR/><BR/>Largely the principle is aimed at preventing exploitation by making it typically unjustifiable to use someone in research which involves significant risk but benefits only others.<BR/><BR/>That said given that medical researchers are often doctors, they have their own ethical obligations towards patients, the principle also supports clinical equipoise. <BR/><BR/>It still isn't going to suit your utilitarian inclinations, but in general people don't accept that some may be sacrificed for the potential benefit of others, so I don't read the general principle as insane, though I agree the version Jane gives is.<BR/><BR/>"In fact, I don't see the need for ethicists here at all"<BR/><BR/>Richard the reason you might get the chance to make a fully informed decision of your own to engage in medical research is largely a result of those interfering ethicists... If you need a reason do a google search on unethical research. Working in research ethics on these committees you see some pretty scary proposals for research.David Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10511387997239132302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-69211054192945625102008-01-10T21:45:00.000-05:002008-01-10T21:45:00.000-05:00"medical ethics" is, basically just plain evil.htt..."medical ethics" is, basically just plain evil.<BR/><BR/>http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2007/12/31/academic-horror-story-johns-hopkins-edition/#commentsMichael Vassarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093368267892307038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-86957327460815268952008-01-10T19:22:00.000-05:002008-01-10T19:22:00.000-05:00This seems like a bizarre policy to me, especially...This seems like a bizarre policy to me, especially in light of the fact that we <I>already</I> have policies that have this effect. For example, live-donor organ transplantation. I can choose to donate a kidney, or a piece of my liver, or a piece of my lung, or some bone marrow to an ailing friend or relative. Any competent doctor will happily cut it out of me, despite the fact that the procedure poses me considerable health risk and offers me no direct benefit. Since this is allowed, how on earth could there even be a question about male contraceptive pills?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com