The present study was intended to comprehensively review legal and ethical
considerations for special classes of subjects to protect human research subjects and to
suggest the several issues about studying the human subjects. According 13
development and innovation of biomedical sciences, the necessity of involving human
subjects such as fetus, pregnent woman, children and minors, cognitively impaired
persons, prisoners, traumatized and comatous patients, terminally ill patients, minorities
students, employees and normal volunteer in research is clear. Without their participation
progress in the understanding and accumulation of knowledge in these areas will be
stifled.
However, because of there is few regulations and legal devices about evaluation of
research, many questions and confusion about bioethics was arised. Especially, careful
consideration and evaluation of legitimacy, safety and importance of research involving
human subject is needed at the present time.
If the risks of research involving human subject exceed the level considered minimal,
the researchers must be justified by anticipated benefit for the health of the human
subject. Therefore, the authors suggest that more criterias which can evaluate the
legitimacy of the research art needed and the development and initiation of regulation
and organization such as national commission for the protection of human subjects are
required.
Finally, the author recommended that the curriculum about bioethics for research in
graduate or postgraduate courses is fortified for preparation of researcher of future
society.
Ethical considerations call upon investigators to maintain the dignity of human subject
and to avoid unseemly intrusions for research purpose.
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