TY  - JOUR
T1  - STatistical analysis to settle ethical issues?
AU  - Kraemer H
Y1  - 2000/04/01
N1  - 10.1001/archpsyc.57.4.327
JO  - Archives of General Psychiatry
SP  - 327
EP  - 328
VL  - 57
IS  - 4
N2  - 
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."

SN  - 0003-990X
M3  - doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.57.4.327
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.57.4.327
ER  -