The declaration of Helsinki is a collection of ethical guidelines for health studies involving human subjects created by the World Medical Association. All the scholars in medical research are required to read and adopt the entire document. The researchers have the mandate to safeguard and promote the medical well-being of the participants. The health physicians are bound to the declaration of Geneva that requires the professionals to put the health of their patients into consideration and act in their best interests even when carrying out studies. This essay develops the ethical principles in medical research involving human participants.
The first consideration in health studies is to ensure that the activities provide adequate access and representation of the disadvantaged groups in the society. The primary directives of the medical research should be to comprehend the effects, causes, and development of illnesses and promote therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive interventions. The interventions must be continuously assessed for quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility. The health studies are also subject to moral standards that support the rights and well-being of the human subjects (World Medical Association, 2008).
The physicians should identify and conform to the regulatory, legal, and ethical standards and norms of the cultural backgrounds of the human subjects. It is the duty of the professionals to protect the privacy, integrity, life, confidentiality, health, self-determination, and dignity of the participants (World Medical Association, 2008). The aspect entails upholding the scientific principles of medical research, maintaining caution, following research protocol, etc. The individuals in the study must be made aware of the outcomes and possible benefits of the research. Lastly, the physicians should ensure that the relevant information from the research released to the public and the ethical committee for consideration, comments, guidance, and approval.
Reference
World Medical Association (2008). Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. Retrieved August 8, 2016 from http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/b3/17c.pdf.
