RT Journal
A1 Schaefer G, Emanuel EJ, Wertheimer A
T1 THe obligation to participate in biomedical research
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2009
FD July 1
VO 302
IS 1
SP 67
OP 72
DO 10.1001/jama.2009.931
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.931
AB The current prevailing view is that participation in biomedical research is above and beyond the call of duty. While some commentators have offered reasons against this, we propose a novel public goods argument for an obligation to participate in biomedical research. Biomedical knowledge is a public good, available to any individual even if that individual does not contribute to it. Participation in research is a critical way to support an important public good. Consequently, all have a duty to participate. The current social norm is that individuals participate only if they have a good reason to do so. The public goods argument implies that individuals should participate unless they have a good reason not to. Such a shift would be of great aid to the progress of biomedical research, eventually making society significantly healthier and longer lived.