<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: Use Of A Placebo Control In 2002 a report was published in JAMA describing the results of a trial of seratraline (Zoloft) versus hypericum (St John's Wort) versus placebo in the treatment of severe depression. It was an eight-week trial and all of the subjects were monitored carefully for increased depression or suicidal tendencies at which time they were removed from the trial. Both seratraline and hypericum were no better than placebo. The investigators pointed out that without the placebo group, the conclusion might have been reached that St John's Wort was equally effective as seratraline. Was this an ethical trial? If so, why? If not, why not? Discuss equipoise in clinical research Discuss Geneva Convention and CIOMS guideless for use of placebos Discuss whether clinical research, especially randomized clinical trials require a therapeutic obligation to participants << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 2 Quick Links Research in Humans History of Rules About Research in Humans Definitions Federal Mandate Respect for Persons Beneficence Justice Common Rule IRB Mission Cases Bibliography Chapter 2 Download (PDF)