Beyond disclosure: the necessity of trust in biomedical research.
Biomedical research is experiencing a crisis in public trust. Although the vast majority of clinical studies are conducted in an ethical fashion, public perceptions are fueled by well-publicized examples of unethical practices. Mistrust is further encouraged by the duality of the role of the clinical researcher, who is charged with both caring for patients and answering a research question. Disclosure is not adequate to fully address conflicts of interest in biomedical research; instead, efforts to protect patients' interests and enhance trust should combine disclosure with an attempt to reduce conflicts in the first place as much as possible.
Kahn
Jeffrey P
JP
Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. kahnx009@umn.edu
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D030881:Disclosure; D006801:Humans; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D015871:Scientific Misconduct; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States