RT Journal
A1 Kraemer H
T1 STatistical analysis to settle ethical issues?
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 2000
FD April 1
VO 57
IS 4
SP 327
OP 328
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.57.4.327
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.57.4.327
AB 
My stance on placebo controls changed when, many years ago, while in labor, I was recruited for a placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of an obstetric anesthetic agent. I forbear quoting my exceedingly rude refusal. I, who had advocated and participated in the design, execution, and analyses of many placebo-controlled RCTs, found this request bordering on the medically unethical. The risk of any long-term adverse effects of treatment with placebo was negligible. However, for the duration of the labor, I had a 50% chance of being deprived of the best usually available medical care and suffering the consequences, however temporary. Such deprivation, to my mind, is not in accord with the injunction to "do no harm."