Paternalism and fairness in clinical research

Lynn A. Jansen, Steven Wall

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, we defend the ethics of clinical research against the charge of paternalism. We do so not by denying that the ethics of clinical research is paternalistic, but rather by defending the legitimacy of paternalism in this context. Our aim is not to defend any particular set of paternalistic restrictions, but rather to make a general case for the permissibility of paternalistic restrictions in this context. Specifically, we argue that there is no basic liberty-right to participate in clinical research and that considerations of distributive fairness justify some paternalistic protections of research subjects.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)172-182
Number of pages11
JournalBioethics
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Basic liberty
  • Distributive fairness
  • Paternalism
  • Research ethics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Philosophy
  • Health Policy

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