Abstract:
Traditionally, medicine has been governed by the principle
of Primum non nocere - “first do no harm”, which implies
both doing good and avoiding doing harm. However, in
medical research, this approach is far too simplistic. Today
we need also to be attuned to the vast domain of related
ethical issues. In ethics, as indeed in English, many terms
and concepts are clearly confusing. They may seem similar,
yet be different: is petrol flammable, or inflammable?
Others question logic, dishonest and honest, so why not
diseased and eased (instead of healthy)? Many terms are
also highly debatable; if someone sets out to fail and actually
succeeds, is that a success or a failure? This paper
will explore some basic principles of medical ethics and
then relate them to scientific research in terms of study
design. These principles give guidance for the protection
and safeguarding of researchers, participants (specifically
dental patients), and the community.
