Edzard Ernst
MD, PhD, MAE, FMedSci, FRSB, FRCP, FRCPEd.

Guess who made this comment on ‘INFORMED CONSENT’

Published Tuesday 11 April 2023

I have often blogged about informed consent. Recently, I have come across a quote about informed consent to medical research that I find remarkable in several ways. It was made by a German physician and I present you with the original and with my translation of it.

The person who correctly guesses the author of the quote will – if he/she wants – receive a free copy of one of my books delivered through the post.

Here we go:

THE ORIGINAL

Zum einen gibt es Versuche, die fuer order mit jemandem auf freiwilliger Basis durchgefuehrt werden; zum anderen solche, die gegen den Willen der betroffenen Person stattfinden. Eine weitere Unterteilung gibt an, of sie besonders gefaehrlich offer vergleichsweise unbedenklich und ohne Gefahrenpotenzial sind. Zu unterscheiden ist ausserdem, ob das Ergebnis des Versuchs wichtig ist oder ob es sich nur um eine laecherliches Spiel einer wissenschaftlich gebildeten Person handelt. Aus diesen sechs Kriterien ergibt sich eine Art Richtlinie, die es einem vom medizinischen Standpunkt aus ermoeglicht JA oder NEIN zu sagen.

MY TRANSLATION

On the one hand, there are experiments that are carried out for or with someone on a voluntary basis; on the other hand, there are those that take place against the will of the person concerned. A further subdivision indicates whether they are particularly dangerous or comparatively harmless and without any potential for danger. A further distinction must be made as to whether the result of the experiment is important or whether it is merely a ridiculous game played by a scientifically educated person. These six criteria form a kind of guideline that enables one to say YES or NO from a medical point of view.

____________________________

I don’t think you will find the author by googling the text. So, don’t bother.

The author, a German physician, is no longer alive but was very famous at one time. I will disclose his – yes it was a man –  identity as soon as someone got the correct answer. If nobody does guess correctly, I will disclose it in a few days.

If you are unable to guess the author, I would still be interested in what you think of the quote and the frame of mind of the physician who said these intriguing sentences.

Posted in doctors, education, informed consent, medical ethics, politics, prevention, research, risk

35 Responses to Guess who made this comment on ‘INFORMED CONSENT’

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