Discussion: Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Research

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Week 6 Discussion 1 Ethics

Human experimentation is an ethical issue that exists in criminal justice research. It was

not uncommon for the military to use its own crew members as volunteers for experiments

regarding chemical warfare. In 1944, there was a young Navy man that was subjected to rigorous

testing of chemical agents that yield adverse reactions to his body both internally and externally,

(pcrm.org, n. d.).

The ACJS Code of Ethics would have prevented such brutal treatment of a test subject.

First, full disclosure between the subject and researcher should be completely understood and

full permission must be given prior to experimenting. Minimal harm to the subject is also an

ethical aim when it comes to subjecting people to experimentation. Researchers should inform

participants about any aspects of the research that might change a person’s mind about

participating, such as physical risks, discomfort, and/or unpleasant emotional experiences.

Those found in violation of the ACJS Code of Ethics could result in sanctions all the way

to termination of membership. Basically, all you must do is be a decent human being when

conducting research like one should in everyday life. If decency is a guiding force, ethical issues

won’t be an issue.

References

Pcrm.org staffers, (n. d.). Human experimentation: an introduction to the ethical issues.

Retrieved from http://www.pcrm.org/research/healthcare-professionals/researchcompendium/human-experimentation-an-introduction-to-the