The Beecher article, published in 1966 by Dr. Henry Beecher, was a groundbreaking piece that exposed the ethical violations and abuses in medical research that were taking place in the United States. The article documented 22 cases of unethical research studies, conducted by reputable medical institutions such as Harvard University and the National Institutes of Health. The revelations in the Beecher article sent shockwaves through the medical community and led to significant changes in how research studies are conducted today.
Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?
A. An identification of basic ethical principles
B. Additional FDA regulations
C. Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regime
D. Multiple Congressional hearings
The correct answer to the question “Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?” is C. Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regime.
Beecher Article Result
The Beecher article was a wake-up call to the medical community, which until then had largely assumed that ethical violations only occurred in the context of the Nazi regime’s medical experiments. The article showed that such abuses were not limited to wartime experimentation but were occurring in the United States, in reputable medical institutions.
The article’s impact was significant, as it led to the creation of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, which issued the Belmont Report in 1979. The Belmont Report established ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects in research, which are still in use today. The report emphasized the importance of informed consent, risk-benefit analysis, and respect for the autonomy of human subjects.
Moreover, the Beecher article brought attention to the issue of vulnerable populations in research studies, such as prisoners and mentally disabled individuals. It highlighted the importance of ensuring that these populations are not exploited or subjected to harm in research studies.
In conclusion, the Beecher article was a seminal piece of literature that brought to light the ethical violations and abuses in medical research that were occurring in the United States. Its impact was significant, leading to the establishment of ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects and a heightened awareness of the importance of informed consent and respect for the autonomy of research subjects. The article also brought attention to the issue of vulnerable populations in research studies, and the need to ensure their protection from harm and exploitation.