Jenner on Trial: An Ethical Examination of Vaccine Research in the Age of Smallpox and the Age of AIDS

by Thomas A. Kerns

Overview

This book examines how an Ethics Review Committee using today's ethical standards as articulated in The Nuremburg Code, and the WHO/CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects, might assess the scientific and ethical design of Edward Jenner's first experimental vaccine experiment. It explores the potential risks and benefits to young James, the adequacy of the preliminary evidence that Jenner used to justify performing his experiment, and how he might have complied with requirements for informed consent. In addition to its historical interest for 18th century England and for the origins of today's biomedical research ethics standards, the book is significant as a case study in the ethics of basic vaccine research. It thus raises relevant questions about today's vaccine research, particularly relating to HIV.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761807186
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	04/30/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Thomas A. Kerns is Professor of Philosophy in the Social Science Division at North Seattle Community College in Seattle, Washington.