The relevance of empirical research in bioethics

Abstract

Empirical research related to ethical issues in clinical research has grown dramatically in recent years. However, little attention has been devoted to the ethical relevance of the findings from this research. In order to examine the value and limitations of ethics-related empirical research, we discuss 3 case studies involving research with stored biological samples, placebo-controlled trials, and the idea of the therapeutic misconception. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved.