There are several cases through out history of the exploitation of individuals with intellectual disability being exploited in clinical research. Examples like the Willowbrook State School for Children with Mental Retardation and the Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital show how important ethical precautions are to consider when working with this population.

Cedarville University

Children with Intellectual Disability are less likely than typically developing children to be included in clinical research, even though they are more likely to have painful comorbidities and medical interventions.

Involvement of Children with Intellectual Disability in Research

Raskoff, S. Z., Thurm, A., Miguel, H. O., Kim, S. Y. H., & Quezado, Z. M. N. (2023). Pain research and children and adolescents with severe intellectual disability: ethical challenges and imperatives. The Lancet. Child & adolescent health, 7(4), 288–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00346-7

Pain research and children and adolescents with severe intellectual disability: ethical challenges and imperatives

Exploitation of Individuals with Intellectual Disability in Research

Systematic exclusion of individuals with severe intellectual disability from research contributes to health inequalities. It also places them at as disadvantage by preventing them from receiving the potential benefits that may result from research. Many parents and caregivers have advocated for research on behalf of their children.

Exclusion of Individuals with Severe Intellectual Disability from Research

Alternative research methods may need to be used because children and adolescents are unable to give their assent and may have an indistinguishable dissent.

Learn Before

Related