ABSTRACT
Regulating the behaviour of researchers in medicine and medical research is really difficult to achieve unless there are effective systems whereby researchers' conduct can be regularly monitored, and sanctions applied where appropriate. The purpose of implementing a more central control system would be to establish more effective public control over science and medical research. However, a centralised system will tend to abrogate the individual ethical responsibility. Medical research per se is essentially concerned with the diagnostic and therapeutic value of a new treatment offered to a person. The experience of evaluating what is ethical and unethical is picked up through practical situations, by observing either the good or questionable ethical behaviour of their supervisors or being asked to assist in research believed to be questionable ethically. If the importance of ethical training receives the attention it deserves in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, the possibility of creating a genuine ethical culture is strong.
