Interrelationship between the Belmont report, The Tuskegee studies and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts

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    The Belmont Report The Belmont Report is a report issued by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research in 1979. The report outlines three ethical principles for the conduct of human subjects research: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. The Tuskegee Studies The Tuskegee Studies were a series of experiments conducted by the United States Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972. The studies involved 600 African American men with syphilis, who were denied treatment for the disease in order to study its progression. The Tuskegee Studies are considered to be one of the most unethical experiments in human history. BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) Section 6 of the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts addresses the ethical conduct of research. The code outlines 11 specific principles that behavior analysts must follow when conducting research with human participants. Interrelationship The Belmont Report, the Tuskegee Studies, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) are all interconnected in their focus on the ethical conduct of research and practice. The Belmont Report provides the ethical foundation for the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. The three ethical principles of the Belmont Report (respect for persons, beneficence, and justice) are reflected in the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11). The Tuskegee Studies highlight the importance of following ethical principles in research. The Tuskegee Studies were a clear violation of the ethical principles of the Belmont Report. Behavior analysts have a responsibility to conduct research and practice in an ethical manner. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) provides behavior analysts with specific guidance on how to conduct ethical research. Examples of the Interrelationship Here are some examples of how the Belmont Report, the Tuskegee Studies, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) are interconnected:

• Principle of Respect for Persons: The Belmont Report states that all human beings deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The Tuskegee Studies violated the principle of respect for persons by denying treatment to the participants in the study. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) requires behavior analysts to obtain informed consent from participants in research studies and to respect the participants' right to withdraw from the study at any time.
• Principle of Beneficence: The Belmont Report states that researchers have a duty to maximize the benefits of research and to minimize the risks to participants. The Tuskegee Studies violated the principle of beneficence by exposing the participants to the risks of syphilis and other diseases. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) requires behavior analysts to assess the risks and benefits of research studies before conducting them and to take steps to minimize the risks to participants.
• Principle of Justice: The Belmont Report states that the benefits and risks of research should be distributed fairly. The Tuskegee Studies violated the principle of justice by targeting African American men for the study. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) requires behavior analysts to select participants for research studies in a fair and equitable manner.

Conclusion The Belmont Report, the Tuskegee Studies, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) are all interconnected in their focus on the ethical conduct of research and practice. Behavior analysts have a responsibility to conduct research and practice in an ethical manner. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) provides behavior analysts with specific guidance on how to conduct ethical research.  

Sample Answer

   

Interrelationship Between the Belmont Report, The Tuskegee Studies, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11)

The Belmont Report, the Tuskegee Studies, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Section 6 (Codes 6.01 - 6.11) are all interconnected in their focus on the ethical conduct of research and practice.