Research Participation: A Moral Obligation?

摘要

We as a society have all benefited from past research. These benefits include immunizations, antibiotics, antihypertensive, diabetic medication, and many more. Clinical research is ongoing, looking for better treatments, improved technologies, and cures for diseases. Unfortunately, enrollment into these research studies is often low and can become the barrier to completing the study. Why do so few people participate in trials and yet expect researchers to find cures? Should the public benefit from the latest treatments without ever having to participate in the process? Do we have a moral obligation to participate in research or should it be left to the altruistic members of society alone? Differing views of this argument are explored.