Rebecca C. H. Brown|Mícheál de Barra|Brian D. Earp
Broad Medical Uncertainty and the ethical obligation for openness
Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities|University of Oxford|Brunel University London|Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities|University of Oxford
paper argues exists collective epistemic state broad medical uncertainty bmu regarding effectiveness many medical interventions outline features bmu describe main contributing factors include flaws medical research methodologies bias publication practices financial conflicts interest features evidence translated practice result significant degree uncertainty regarding effectiveness many medical treatments unduly optimistic beliefs benefitharm profiles treatments argue ethical presumption favour openness regarding bmu part corrective response consider objections position anticorrective response including concerns public honesty flaws medical research could undermine trust healthcare institutions suggest stands anticorrective response unconvincing