Suppose a new cancer therapy is being tested in a large clinical trial. The therapy is working well; it seems that it is
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Suppose a new cancer therapy is being tested in a large clinical trial. The therapy is working well; it seems that it is
Suppose a new cancer therapy is being tested in a large clinicaltrial. The therapy is working well; it seems that it is extendingthe lives of patients suffering from a deadly form of cancer. Butthe results are not yet statistically significant and there’s asmall chance the extended lives is just a coincidence. The trial isstopping so that those who are not getting the therapy – those inthe control arm – can be given the new therapy, so everyone canbenefit. The physician-researchers directing the trial claim thatstopping the trial before it provides statistically-significantdata – before they can prove the drug is really the reason peopleare living longer – might in fact delay the therapy’s wider use(for example, getting FDA approval). Evaluate the moralimplications of stopping the trial versus the moral implications ofcontinuing it. Be explicit in your use of the moral principles inyour answer.