Skip to main content

Women and Health Research Ethical and Legal Issues of Including Women in Clinical Studies: Volume 2: Workshop and Commissioned Papers (1994) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

4 Ethical Issues Related to the Inclusion of Pregnant Women in Clinical Trial (II)
Pages 23-28

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 23...
... For example, preliminary testing of the rubella vaccine in monkeys indicated that the vaccine did not cross the placenta However, when human studies were undertaken with women about to undergo abortions, it was found that the vaccine virus did cross the placenta end infect the fetus. Thalidomide is another dramatic example chat negative animal data do not prove that a drug is innocuous to humans.
Read the entire page →
From page 24...
... The first is nontherapeutic research, that is, research that does not benefit the research subject, in this case, either the pregnant woman or the fetus. Placing restrictions on the use of pregnant women in nontherapeutic research limits their freedom of choice, but it cannot be said to harm them as individuals.
Read the entire page →
From page 26...
... a surgeon removed a pre-viable fetus from the uterus, repaired his diaphragmatic hernia, put the fetus back in the womb, and delivered him six weeks later by cesarean section (Kolata, 1990~. The mother had no obligation to try the therapy, given the risks and burdens to her from two cesareans and six weeks of enforced bed rest, especially since it was very experimental and carried
Read the entire page →
From page 27...
... However, there's a strong case for society's banning pregnant women who plan to go to term from such clinical trials, whether or not the father objects. Men have legitimate interests in the health of their not-yet-born children.
Read the entire page →
From page 28...
... Hastings Center Report 6~4~:21-30. Steinbock, B., and McClamrock, R
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • pregnant women
  • clinical trials
  • future child
  • pregnant woman
  • morally required

  • exclude pregnant
  • own life
  • proxy consent
  • six weeks
  • own health

  • human subjects
  • behavioral research
  • national commission
  • potentially harmful
  • mentally retarded

  • wives smoke
  • research subject
  • times described
  • york times
  • pregnant wife

  • necessarily harmful
  • cancer therapy
  • banning pregnant
  • abuse alcohol
  • impose minimal

  • refused cancer
  • placing restrictions
  • direct personal
  • consider regarding
  • prenatal exposure


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.