Ethical considerations in human experimentation.

An accepted practice in medical research has been the subordination of individual rights to the benefit of mankind. The Nazi experiments, and other recent abuses, have focused increased attention on the dignity and rights of human research subjects and have led to new regulations to control human experimentation. Central to establishing what constitutes permissible human experimentation are the issues of risk-benefit ratio and informed consent. Evaluating the risk-benefit ratio requires consideration of the nature of the experiment, the likelihood of its success, and the type of subjects to be utilized. Participation in a study requires voluntary "educated" informed consent. Certain categories of subjects, such as children and the mentally handicapped, require special protection in this regard. Finally, formal education in medical ethics and prohibiting publication of unethical studies are likely to prove more effective in curbing unethical experimentation than increasing government regulation.