Why the ethical justification of randomized clinical trials is a scientific question

In 21st century medical research, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered to generate the most useful form of medical knowledge [1]. This is because they are perceived to be a uniquely efficient and reliable way of uncovering causal knowledge about very complex systems and processes. However, the centrality of RCTs to modern medical research does not guarantee that all such trials will, therefore, be ethically justified, nor that RCTs are always required to answer any meaningful clinical research question.

Source: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology - January 3, 2018 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Michel Shamy, Mark Fedyk Tags: Commentary Source Type: research