Biomedical subjects

John Saunders

Publications and source records attributed to John Saunders.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk, Helsinki 2000 and the use of placebo in medical research.

There has been vigorous debate over the use of placebo controls in clinical trials in human subjects where active treatments are already in widespread use. The debate has extended from the use of placebo controls in trials of products for AIDS in developing countries to the use of placebos in trials in conditions such as mild hypertension, asthma, depression, chronic stable angina etc. Some have argued that placebos can never be justified where an active treatment exists. By contrast, we believe that minor levels of risk are justified in healthcare research under defined conditions provided there is full information and consent. The opportunities for altruism in research should neither be exploited nor prevented.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Developing clinical ethics committees.

Formal clinical ethics review first developed in the USA and most hospitals there have structures in place. This is often a clinical ethics committee. Developments have been slower in the UK, where there has been uncertainty and variability about the role of clinical ethics committees. Even in the USA, their exact role is uncertain. Although we now have a good idea of the mechanisms for ethical review of clinical issues in NHS trusts and health authorities, the desirability, composition and terms of reference for clinical ethics committees should be agreed as part of the clinical governance agenda.

Ethics Committees, Clinical↗

PubMedDate not supplied