Suchergebnisse

This is the second and concluding part of a personal history of social medicine in South Africa in the early years after the second world war.

The second part of this personal history focusing on the ups, downs, and politics of social medicine in Alexandra Township, South Africa, will be published in the August issue of the journal.

There is almost no step in the research process in epidemiology in which ethical issues do not exist. In this paper we follow the thread of our own experience in balancing values of scientific rigor against values concerning the interests of the people under study. Ethical issues in epidemiology are illustrated in the choice of research ques tions ; in the choice of study designs to explore the ques tions; in the maintenance of confidentiality; in obtaining the participation of populations; in experimental studies; and the giving or withdrawing of treatment.

There is almost no step in the research process in epidemiology in which ethical issues do not exist. Discussed are the values of scientific rigor, balanced against values concerning the interests of the people under study. Ethical issues in epidemiology are illustrated in the choice of research questions; in the choice of study designs to explore the questions; in the maintenace of confidentiality; in obtaining the participation of populations; in experimental studies; & in giving or withdrawing treatment. Institutional controls on research exact a price. They limit scientific study in various ways. Scientists' concerns are not always in harmony with those of other interest groups; but scientists must appeal to policymakers to temper controls on research with a regard for the scientific ideal of free inquiry. Modified HA.