Phil 380 Week 8 Discussion: Unethical Experiments in Medicine

Find the item Ill-Gotten Gains: On the Use of Results from Unethical Experiments in Medicine (Public Affairs Quarterly 9, no. 3 [July 1995]) in the Learn section of Module 8: Week 8. Ridley examines the question of whether to make use of beneficial results that were obtained unethically from medical experiments performed on human beings. While many would probably say that such benefits should not be withheld, Ridley suggests it would be inappropriate to make use of such results. Given his article, address the following questions:

1. In your own words, explain Ridley’s argument based on utilitarianism and the Ideal Experimenter. According to Ridley, how might the Ideal Experimenter effectively be persuaded to conform to non-utilitarian standards of experimental practices?
2. In the end, do you think Ridley’s argument succeeds? Suppose some researchers performed experiments on children in which many of them suffered and died, but in the process, the researchers obtained information that could wipe out cancer. Should they use that information?
3. Ridley presents two reasons for not using the results of unethical experiments that he believes are not effective: respect and condoning. Why does he think these fail? Do you agree with him? If not, give an example in which you think an appeal to respect or condoning would be successful in arguing against the use of such results.

Solution: Phil 380 Week 8 Discussion: Unethical Experiments in Medicine

1. Grounded on utilitarianism, Ridley’s argument suggests a possible moral justification for using results from unethical experiments if their benefits to society outweigh the risks and harms inflicted on human subjects. Ridley’s proposed concept of the Ideal Experimenter refers to imagined research that maintains the highest ethical standards in experiments involving human subjects to ensure the utmost respect for human rights and well-being (Ridley, 1995). Concerning an Ideal Experimenter to conform to non-utilitarian standards of research experiment may involve appealing to the general ethical considerations beyond calculating utility, which may emphasize the inherent rights and dignity of human subjects, the importance of maintaining trust in the scientific world, and long-term implications of unethical behaviors on individual and the society at large (Kirkwood, 2021). These ethical dimensions may persuade researchers to prioritize ethical conduct when it does not align with utilitarian considerations.Ridley’s argument may succeed in providing a framework to justify the use of data from unethical experiments if it results in a greater benefit for society (Ridley, 1995). However, this success is significantly dependent on individual views and ethical principles. The case where researchers performed experiments on children resulting in suffering and death but potentially yielding information to eradicate cancer presents an…Please click purchase button below to get full answer for $5

Related: