For subjects who are facing death, great care must be taken not to inflate the possibility of benefit to the individual. If appropriate, the informed consent document should state that subjects may not directly benefit from their participation. The alternative of not participating at all must be offered as a clear choice. History has shown us that those who receive the benefits of research are not necessarily the ones who bear it's burdens. It is expected that research protocols that include terminally ill subjects will most often involve issues of death and dying in addition to the terminal illness which the subject has.
Investigators are responsible for utilizing the most current versions of official policies.
In addition you may contact HIC office personnel at 577-1628 concerning human subject research. April 18, 1979.