The central argument of this case is on how to conduct a study for a potential cure for the Ebola virus. Specifically, the researchers have to decide if they should do a blinded experiment or a non-randomized experiment. The problem with this choice is that a proportion of those involved with the study would purposely be given a placebo, or no drug. The other option is to give everyone within the study doses of the drug. This has the problem of producing less than accurate results, since data on the trial drug would be mixed with data on previous drugs, thus prolonging the amount of research necessary. Adding to this difficulty is the fact that Ebola is a virus that lacks treatment, so any research for a cure is vital. However, in order to
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Specifically, the article states that the principle of autonomy is not only important, but it is very easy to undermine. To start, informed consent is considered as fulfilling the principle of autonomy. However, as stated before, patients can give their informed consent without understanding anything about the treatment. As such, the author states that this is a form of negative consent, where the patient cannot make a fully autonomous choice because they cannot understand the possible outcomes. This is further complicated by the fact that patients can have negative and positive beliefs. Negative beliefs are those that the patient is certain won’t happen to them. Positive beliefs are the outcomes that the patient believes can happen to them. These beliefs must be well informed, as stated by Kihlbom, and in many cases relies on the trust between patient and physician. Overall, Kihlbom argues that establishing informed consent depends on how well a patient can understand specific procedures, which is a key concern for the patients in the Ebola cure …show more content…
Considering that the non-randomized trial used older drugs, it treated every patient who was involved in the study. Furthermore, the physicians were able to collect useful data about the drug they were studying. Thus, both the patients and the physicians benefited from the study. The patients received a treatment; regardless of whether it was the drug being tested or an older treatment. Any physician in this study displayed both beneficence and a respect for autonomy. Both of these principles are important to any medical
Specifically, the article states that the principle of autonomy is not only important, but it is very easy to undermine. To start, informed consent is considered as fulfilling the principle of autonomy. However, as stated before, patients can give their informed consent without understanding anything about the treatment. As such, the author states that this is a form of negative consent, where the patient cannot make a fully autonomous choice because they cannot understand the possible outcomes. This is further complicated by the fact that patients can have negative and positive beliefs. Negative beliefs are those that the patient is certain won’t happen to them. Positive beliefs are the outcomes that the patient believes can happen to them. These beliefs must be well informed, as stated by Kihlbom, and in many cases relies on the trust between patient and physician. Overall, Kihlbom argues that establishing informed consent depends on how well a patient can understand specific procedures, which is a key concern for the patients in the Ebola cure …show more content…
Considering that the non-randomized trial used older drugs, it treated every patient who was involved in the study. Furthermore, the physicians were able to collect useful data about the drug they were studying. Thus, both the patients and the physicians benefited from the study. The patients received a treatment; regardless of whether it was the drug being tested or an older treatment. Any physician in this study displayed both beneficence and a respect for autonomy. Both of these principles are important to any medical