ABSTRACT
This chapter is based on the personal views of the author. Interested parties can find more information in the reading list given at the end of this chapter.
Understanding ourselves, how the body and mind work in health, in disease and in organic and psychological disorders, can only come from integrating knowledge gained from many types of laboratory experiments and the study of man. To the scientist there are many powerful reasons for encouraging the investigation of human beings in order to focus research and testing on the target species and its specific structures and systems. For the sake of self-knowledge and better health, the philosopher-ethicist and the derivative lawyer should support the scientist and clinician in undertaking experiments on ourselves and our fellow beings. Of equal force to those experts, however, must be concern about certain fundamental rights of man, notably personal autonomy, respect of personal integrity and confidentiality and freedom from unacceptable risk, pain and suffering. These factors, plus normative forces in society and their effects on legal and medical practice, have been important in defining the boundaries of what risks or suffering it is reasonable to ask someone to accept as a subject in a research study. The risks of treatment of illness and their acceptability raise different issues, which will not be considered in this chapter.
