The ethics of HIV research in developing nations

Article Abstract:

Standards of ethical medical research on humans are universal, but they are not absolute. Each situation must be evaluated separately. A dispute has arisen over ethics of research in developing countries on preventing perinatal transmission of HIV. There is no other way to see whether short-term AZT treatment is better than a placebo one and to see whether the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 076 protocol is the only good one. Some argue that the research is unethical on the grounds that the placebo-control group is denied a treatment that is effective. Others argue that that point of view omits the ethical complexities of research in developing countries and that studies can be designed to take into account economic, social and scientific research factors.

Economic aspects, History, Clinical trials, HIV infection, HIV infections, Ethical aspects, Science, AIDS (Disease), Informed consent (Medical law), Informed consent, Universals (Philosophy), Universals and individuals (Philosophy), Tuskegee Syphilis Study (Report)

---

Ethics of placebo-controlled trials in developing countries

Article Abstract:

David B. Resnik has concluded that perinatal HIV transmission studies in developing countries are justified. He may have missed the essence of the criticism of the trials and may have missed the essence of the defense. To defend the trials, it is said that no other way of establishing the effectiveness of short-term AZT treatment exists. The controversy actually is over whether it is likely that the experimental treatment will cut perinatal transmission to that found in the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 076 regimen and whether reliable judgements about perinatal transmission rate if no treatment is given can be made. It is not ethical to knowingly design a trial in which some women get treatment less effective than is given to others.

Social aspects, Methods

---

Replies to commentaries

Article Abstract:

Research related to AIDS carried out in developing countries poses many questions to bioethicists. Drug industry-sponsored research will be important in the fight against AIDS unless governments up their contributions, and a conflict of interest will continue to exist. Local economics of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research presents many questions. If studies help to find treatment regimens that are less costly than those of the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG)076 protocol, they might still be too costly for people in less-developed countries. Global economic issues are of great importance relative to AIDS.

World health

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The metaethical problem. Belief, reason, and motivation: Michael Smith's The Moral Problem. Moral motivation
• Abstracts: Trust development in negotiation: proposed actions and a research agenda. Rethinking trust
• Abstracts: A role for virtue ethics in the analysis of business practice. Employee vice: some competing models

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.