“Vulnerability” as a Concept Captive in Its Own Prison

Abstract

The concept of vulnerability appears to capture many important ethical aspects in research. However, it is one of the most ill-defined and the least operationalizable concepts in research ethics codes. The argument of this chapter is that the concept is archaic and outdated. Its overuse has made it lose its force. The medical research ethics codes (which led to the establishment of research ethics codes in general) have employed this concept over a long period, but the concept is of relatively little use in the social sciences. Research ethics codes provide inadequate definitions, justifications, and explanations for its application. The list of vulnerable groups is either inaccurate, inappropriate, or incomplete. The chapter concludes with practical suggestions that members of research ethics committees might wish to follow to assist in resolving issues associated with the concept of vulnerability. Unless amended, vulnerability, as conceived in ethics codes, will remain captive in its own conceptual chains.