Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?A. An identification of basic ethical principlesB. Additional FDA

General
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Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?A. An identification of basic ethical principlesB. Additional FDA regulationsC. Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regimeD. Multiple Congressional hearings

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Which of the following was the result of the Beecher article?

Answer: The correct answer is C. Realization that ethical abuses are not limited to the Nazi regime.

Explanation: The Beecher article, formally titled “Ethics and Clinical Research,” was published by Dr. Henry K. Beecher in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1966. This influential article highlighted 22 examples of unethical research practices conducted in the United States. The key result of the Beecher article was the realization that ethical abuses in clinical research were not confined to the Nazi regime, but were also occurring in American institutions. This revelation had a profound impact on the field of medical ethics and led to increased awareness and subsequent reforms in research ethics.

Further Details:

  • Historical Context: Prior to Beecher’s article, many believed that unethical medical experiments were primarily a problem of the Nazi regime, as revealed during the Nuremberg Trials. However, Beecher’s work demonstrated that such issues were prevalent even in respected American institutions.

  • Impact on Ethics and Regulations: While the article did not directly result in immediate FDA regulations or Congressional hearings, it did play a crucial role in raising awareness about the need for stringent ethical standards in clinical research. This awareness eventually contributed to the development of more comprehensive ethical guidelines and regulations, including the establishment of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the creation of the Belmont Report in 1979, which outlined basic ethical principles in human subject research.

  • Legacy: Beecher’s article is considered a landmark in the history of medical ethics. It underscored the necessity for informed consent and the protection of human subjects in research, setting the stage for future regulatory measures and ethical oversight in clinical research.

In conclusion, the primary result of the Beecher article was the realization that ethical abuses in clinical research were not limited to the Nazi regime, but were also occurring within the United States, prompting a reevaluation of ethical standards and practices in medical research.