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

John Saunders and Paul Wainwright
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.3-5-435
Clin Med September 2003
John Saunders
Centre for Philosophy and Health Care, University of Wales, Swansea
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Paul Wainwright
Centre for Philosophy and Health Care, University of Wales, Swansea
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Abstract

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.

Key Words
  • Declaration of helsinki
  • equivalence trials
  • placebo
  • research ethics
  • © 2003 Royal College of Physicians
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Risk, Helsinki 2000 and the use of placebo in medical research Clinical Medicine
John Saunders, Paul Wainwright
Clinical Medicine Sep 2003, 3 (5) 435-439; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.3-5-435

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Risk, Helsinki 2000 and the use of placebo in medical research Clinical Medicine
John Saunders, Paul Wainwright
Clinical Medicine Sep 2003, 3 (5) 435-439; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.3-5-435
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