Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Human Subject of Biomedical Research Angry!

Peter Klein at Organizations and Markets notes a brief dialogue concerning medical research ethics in The Incredible Hulk. Interestingly, the scientist involved suggests not the weighing of autonomy, beneficence, and justice demanded by the Belmont Report, but rather a prioritization of autonomy, allowing the subject, rather than an ethics committee, to decide whether the potential benefits justify the risks. Some ethicists of the 1970s proposed such a prioritization, but the National Commission rejected it.

The only movie I can think of off the top of my head, in which a comparable scene depicts an ethical debate in the social sciences and humanities, is Songcatcher. I haven't seen the movie, but even in the trailer they're arguing about when research becomes exploitation. Maybe I should watch the whole thing.