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Longitudinal studies on environmental factors and disease. A model for analysis of ethical conflicts

Bengt Haglund, Centre for Primary Care Research, Uppsala University, Address for correspondence: Bengt Haglund Centre for Primary Care Research Department of Social Medicine Uppsala University Hospital S-75185 Uppsala Sweden

Tore Nilstun

Department of Philosophy, Lund University

Björn Smedby

Centre for Primary Care Research, Uppsala University, Department of Social Medicine, Uppsala University

Claes-Göran Westrin

Department of Social Medicine, Uppsala University

The use of individual-based data in research has recently come in for much discussion. The basic issue of the discussion is how to balance between different legitimate interests: the interest in improving knowledge on matters important to human health and the interest in respecting individual autonomy. In this paper we will use a model for description and analysis of ethical conflicts in individual-based research. The model consists of two dimensions: the first specifies the persons involved in the conflict, the second specifies the relevant ethical principles. We have chosen the case of the Rönnskär study as an example. For illustration we distinguish between: no study, a study without informed consent and a study with informed consent. In the Rönnskär study the decision between the three situations rests upon an assessment of the conflict between two obligations: to improve the working environment and to respect autonomy.

Key Words: medical ethicsr • longitudinal studies • individual-based research.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 2, 81-85 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/140349489101900201


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