According to Merriam-Webster, experimentation is defined as, “a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty.” When we discuss human research and experimentation, various emotions and opinions tend to surface. Throughout history, human experiments proved to manifest as both successful outcomes as well as horrendous acts; one’s position on the matter may vary significantly and becomes one of personal choice. For me, human experimentation is acceptable when certain stipulations and safeguards are in place. Following research tragedies such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Trial, many members of society have lost trust and respect for the scientific community regarding human experimentation (Steinbock, London, & Arras, 2012). Research conducted utilizing human experimentation offers many benefits under the appropriate circumstances; I believe this includes only utilizing subjects over the age of eighteen years old for all invasive studies as well as obtaining informed consent.
Some of the benefits include giving people an opportunity to help others. A feeling of contributing to a great cause can be experienced when one is potentially assisting with future advances. Second, these trials often …show more content…
The justice theory maintains the general concept that a person is important simply because they are human; factors such as age, socioeconomic status, gender, race, etc. should have no bearing on one’s advantage (Steinbock et al., 2012). This theory is relevant in numerous ways, including the selection of subjects. For example, mentally disabled individuals could not be targeted and so forth. Unlike the utilitarian principle, which looks at the “greater good” and what outcome will help the most people - despite the ramifications, the justice theory, is based on liberty and equality (Steinbock et al.,