Problem
Imagine you are a nurse participating in a research study with a pharmaceutical company that develops drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. You and your professional colleagues discuss that the experimental drug being researched seems to be causing sever adverse reactions in a few patients with AIDS and may even have caused one or two deaths. These findings have not been shared with anyone outside the research team. The line delivered by the primary investigator is that AIDS patients are already at a high risk for having shortened life span, He states that although the drug may cause adverse reactions in a few patients, overall he is hoping to achieve "the greatest good for the greatest number of patients".
Use the following questions to reflect on this situation and think about the ANA's Codes for Nurses ethic in your response.
a) How do you feel about this position?
b) Is it ethical? Why or why not?
c) What would you do if you were helping to conduct this research?
d) Would you promote this drug?