PrepTest 147, Section 3, Question 21
The following passage is based on an article(425 more words not shown)
The author's argument in the(16 more words not shown)
- AIn most comparative(29 more words not shown)
- BPhysicians participating in(21 more words not shown)
- CThe number of(21 more words not shown)
- DMedical ethicists are(21 more words not shown)
- EIn clinical trials(35 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The third and fourth paragraphs recommend clinical equipoise because it can preserve ethical rigor without unreasonably restricting trials. A useful objection would show that the proposed standard still rules out much of the research it is supposed to accommodate. We should test the claimed practical advantage, not simply ask whether some people prefer the old standard.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Clinical equipoise requires an absence of expert consensus. But A says most trials aim to test a treatment that experts already agree is best. If so, the proposed standard could exclude most trials despite their legitimate purpose of testing that accepted view. That directly challenges the claim that clinical equipoise would avoid unreasonable restrictions. Expert consensus before a trial isn't the same as definitive proof from the trial.
- B
Rarely asking to withdraw doesn't show that the proposed standard is too restrictive or ethically inadequate. A doctor's willingness to stay and a standard's requirements are different issues.
- C
Reduced oversight might be a problem, but it doesn't distinguish the merits of the two standards. Failure to enforce a rule is not itself a defect in the rule being recommended.
- D
Relative professional preferences don't supply a reason the proposed standard fails. We would need to know what supports those preferences, not just which group is more inclined toward theoretical equipoise.
- E
This bears on the earlier concern that an initial balance might be disrupted, but only addresses strong preferences arising early. It doesn't remove the difficulty of achieving exact balance in the first place or directly show a problem with clinical equipoise's proposed application. A attacks that application much more directly.
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