Project 3 Post 2

 My topic is ethics in clinical trials. I will be focusing on third stage clinical trials (testing for efficacy and safety) in which a new treatment for a previously untreatable condition is being tested. Based on my research, I learned that there is a large conflict between the interests of patients, doctors, and researchers. Patients often participate in trials hoping to gain the possible benefits of an experimental drug, so be assigned to a placebo is obviously not in their interest. This is also not in the interest of doctors, according to the pillar of beneficence, they must choose the most beneficial course of action for their patient. Yet, this is against the interest of researchers as a control group is required for good data. I decided that in this case the interest of the patient is most important, so designing a trial in which they can allows receive the most beneficial treatment is vital. From research, I discovered a third stage clinical trial design known as a response-based double-blind crossover trial. In this type of trial, there is a placebo control group, but patients are moved to whichever group, treatment or control, that provides them the greatest benefit. This works to uphold the interest of the patient as well as all four pillar of medical ethics, yet still follows sound scientific protocols.