Scenario
You have just been hired as a Research Assistant for a hospital where you will be working with a team that conducts human research. As a part of your training, you are expected to refresh your understanding of historical issues in human research and how they relate to current research practices. Your supervisor has asked you to create a PowerPoint to demonstrate your understanding of historical issues in human research based. Your presentation will be based on one of the following articles:
• Tuskegee Syphilis Study
• Mackey-Kallis, S. (2019). Tuskegee experiment. Salem Press Encyclopedia.
• Henrietta Lacks
• Gabbay, F. H. (2012). An American woman and the right to health. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 75(2), 113–119.
• Nazi Medical Experiments
• Naming the victims of Nazi medicine. (2017). The Lancet, 389(10085), 2182-2183.
• Thalidomide
• Thomas, K. (2020, Mar 24). Thalidomide’s legacy: [Correction]. New York Times
Instructions
Create a PowerPoint presentation that examines historical issues in human research and how this relates to current research practices. Select one of the articles listed above on the following historical research projects: Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Henrietta Lacks, Nazi Medical Experiments, or Thalidomide Trials.
The presentation should address the following:
• Define ethics in human research and identify how ethics are presented in the article.
• Explain the background and hypothesis of the historical research project.
• Explain the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and note examples of protections for research participants. If there was no IRB, explain how having one could have helped ensure ethical standards were maintained.
• Using current principles outlined by the IRB that govern human research, identify the principles that were violated. Provide an explanation regarding the violations and how these violations would have been avoided using current research practices.
• The presentation should be visually appealing with colors, graphics, and key words.
• Use the notes section below each slide to write the details of what would be said during a live presentation. This allows you to show your understanding and critical thinking skills to the instructor.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Historical Issues in Human Research: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Slide 1: Introduction
Title: Historical Issues in Human Research: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Background image: An image related to medical research or ethics
Slide 2: Ethics in Human Research
Definition of ethics in human research: The moral principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of research involving human subjects.
Explanation of how ethics are presented in the article:
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was conducted without informed consent, where participants were not properly informed about the nature and purpose of the study.
Participants were deceived and misled about receiving treatment for syphilis, leading to significant harm and suffering.
Slide 3: Background and Hypothesis of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Background of the study:
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972.
The study aimed to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis in African American men.
Hypothesis of the study:
The researchers hypothesized that untreated syphilis would follow a specific course and provide valuable insights into the disease.
Slide 4: Role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Definition of the Institutional Review Board (IRB): An independent committee responsible for reviewing and approving research involving human subjects to ensure ethical standards are met.
Examples of protections for research participants:
Informed consent: Participants must be fully informed about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before giving their consent.
Privacy and confidentiality: Measures must be in place to protect participants’ privacy and confidentiality of their personal information.
Monitoring and oversight: Regular monitoring of the study ensures participant safety and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Slide 5: Lack of an IRB in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Explanation of the absence of an IRB in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study:
At the time, there were no formal regulations or oversight mechanisms like IRBs to ensure ethical standards in research.
The lack of an IRB allowed unethical practices to persist unchallenged.
Slide 6: Violations of Current IRB Principles
Identification of principles violated in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study:
Informed consent: Participants were not accurately informed about the study’s purpose and were deprived of treatment.
Beneficence: The study caused significant harm to participants by withholding treatment.
Respect for persons: Participants were deceived and not treated as autonomous individuals.
Slide 7: Avoiding Violations with Current Research Practices
Explanation of how violations would have been avoided using current research practices:
Informed consent process: Participants would have been fully informed about the study, including its purpose, risks, and benefits, and given the opportunity to provide voluntary consent.
Ethical oversight by an IRB: The presence of an IRB would have ensured that the study adhered to ethical guidelines and protected participant rights.
Regular monitoring and review: Ongoing monitoring of the study would have identified any ethical issues and facilitated necessary actions to protect participants.
Slide 8: Conclusion
Summary of key points discussed throughout the presentation.
Emphasis on the importance of ethical considerations and the role of IRBs in ensuring participant safety and rights.
Closing remarks or call-to-action related to ethical conduct in human research.
