Abstract
This chapter discusses the history of involving human subjects in research, the general ethical principles of research, and ethical challenges specifically associated with conducting research involving elders. Research on health-related problems of elders is important not only because of demographic trends, but also because of a lack of previous research involving elders and poor understanding of the processes. Before World War Two, no internationally acknowledged code of ethics for involving human subjects in research existed. During the war, Nazi physicians conducted many experiments of dubious value on thousands of prisoners. However, elders who are potential research subjects are of two types; those who are vigorous, independent, and autonomous, and those who are dependent, decisionally impaired, or dependent on others. Meaningful and ethically valid informed consent requires that research subjects be given relevant and sufficient information, including the purpose of the study, potential risks and alternatives to participation, and the subject's right to withdraw from the study at any time. Assessing the decision-making capacity of potential research subjects is an important step in the informed consent process.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Handbook of Models for Human Aging |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 79-92 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780123693914 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2006 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
Cite this
Ethical Aspects of Research Involving Elderly Persons. / Mueller, Paul; Hook, C. Christopher.
Handbook of Models for Human Aging. Elsevier Inc., 2006. p. 79-92.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Ethical Aspects of Research Involving Elderly Persons
AU - Mueller, Paul
AU - Hook, C. Christopher
PY - 2006/12/1
Y1 - 2006/12/1
N2 - This chapter discusses the history of involving human subjects in research, the general ethical principles of research, and ethical challenges specifically associated with conducting research involving elders. Research on health-related problems of elders is important not only because of demographic trends, but also because of a lack of previous research involving elders and poor understanding of the processes. Before World War Two, no internationally acknowledged code of ethics for involving human subjects in research existed. During the war, Nazi physicians conducted many experiments of dubious value on thousands of prisoners. However, elders who are potential research subjects are of two types; those who are vigorous, independent, and autonomous, and those who are dependent, decisionally impaired, or dependent on others. Meaningful and ethically valid informed consent requires that research subjects be given relevant and sufficient information, including the purpose of the study, potential risks and alternatives to participation, and the subject's right to withdraw from the study at any time. Assessing the decision-making capacity of potential research subjects is an important step in the informed consent process.
AB - This chapter discusses the history of involving human subjects in research, the general ethical principles of research, and ethical challenges specifically associated with conducting research involving elders. Research on health-related problems of elders is important not only because of demographic trends, but also because of a lack of previous research involving elders and poor understanding of the processes. Before World War Two, no internationally acknowledged code of ethics for involving human subjects in research existed. During the war, Nazi physicians conducted many experiments of dubious value on thousands of prisoners. However, elders who are potential research subjects are of two types; those who are vigorous, independent, and autonomous, and those who are dependent, decisionally impaired, or dependent on others. Meaningful and ethically valid informed consent requires that research subjects be given relevant and sufficient information, including the purpose of the study, potential risks and alternatives to participation, and the subject's right to withdraw from the study at any time. Assessing the decision-making capacity of potential research subjects is an important step in the informed consent process.
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U2 - 10.1016/B978-012369391-4/50008-4
DO - 10.1016/B978-012369391-4/50008-4
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:84882838861
SN - 9780123693914
SP - 79
EP - 92
BT - Handbook of Models for Human Aging
PB - Elsevier Inc.
ER -