Uncertainty, error and informed consent to challenge trials of Covid-19 vaccines
Response to Steel et al
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21515327 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Arnon Keren (0000-0002-4899-5495, University of Haifa, corresponding author), Ori Lev (0000-0003-3281-8248, Sapir College) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 813-814 |
| Publication date | 2020-12-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Medical Ethics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0306-6800 • E-ISSN: 1473-4257 |
| Publisher | BMJ (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1136/medethics-2020-106793 |
| PMID | 32900846 |
| OpenAlex | W3083825923 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 1 |
In a recent article, Steel, Buchak and Eyal (SBE) argue that current levels of uncertainty do not present a good reason to bar controlled human infection (CHI) trials of COVID-19 vaccines from proceeding. We argue that their argumentation for this conclusion is flawed. SBE are mistaken about the effects which different forms of ignorance have on participants’ ability to provide valid informed consent. Decision-makers considering whether to allow such trials, we argue, must ultimately consider the likelihood that consent to participation in such trials under current conditions would be valid, and whether this likelihood is high enough to permit such trials. This is a question that SBE completely ignore. We conclude that there indeed are valid concerns about conducting CHI trials given the current state of knowledge about COVID-19, concerns which SBE fail to address
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Alternative medicine · Argumentation theory · Clinical trial · Epistemology · Ignorance · Informed consent · MEDLINE · Pathology · Political science · Ethics in Clinical Research · Law · Medicine · Psychology · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Virology
| Highly cited | No |
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