ethical violations
TRANSCRIPT
Ethical
ViolationsScenario #3
Molly Eaton and Kendra
Jansen
About
the S
tudy
PURPOSE: To assess whether children admitted to
the state school would
ultimately develop hepatitis because of
the poor conditions at
the school
Who w
ould
the
study
benefit? Children attending
schools with poor conditions at risk of developing hepatitis
Eth
ical V
iola
tions Research performed
on children with mental retardation Vulnerable population
(children) Targeted Children cannot legally
consent
Eth
ical V
iola
tions Risk outweighed
benefit Researchers infected
children with hepatitis
Deliberately Some children given
antibodies, some not
Eth
ical V
iola
tions Parental consent
obtained by offering
incentives Expedited admission to
school Housed in special unit
Eth
ical V
iola
tions
Parents not given all
information Were not properly informed of risks
Should
the s
tudy
have b
een
conduct
ed??
?NO WAY!
Why
Not? The study did not
accomplish the goal Children were
deliberately infected
(does not assess how it
would develop)
Why
Not? Not a random sample
Infected only children
with mental retardation
Not representative of
the population
Why
Not? Children were
unknowingly infected
with hepatitis Parents not rightfully
informed
Should
the d
ata
be u
sed?
No- it does not accomplish the purposeNo- sample is not
representativeTells nothing about whether or not children will develop
hepatitis in a school with poor conditions
Too many risks
Stu
dy
Redesi
gned
Experimental Study With a pre and post test
Random assignment Control and experimental group
Stu
dy
Redesi
gned
Control group: children
in school with good conditionsExperimental Group:
children in school with
poor conditions
Stu
dy
Redesi
gned
Test both groups at the start of school
Test again at the end
of school yearWhich children developed hepatitis Offer treatment to any
children with the disease
Stu
dy
Redesi
gned
Ensure that parents are properly informed
and consent is obtained Random sample of
childrenEnsure sample is representative
Group matching