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The significance of the Nuremberg Trials of 1945 for developing biomedical ethics  and the ethical review of biomedical research

https://doi.org/10.37489/2588-0519-GCP-0007

EDN: TYHPRM

Abstract

This article analyzes the historical role of the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi doctors (1945-1947) in shaping modern biomedical ethics and the system of ethical review. It examines the key principles of the Nuremberg Code, such as voluntary informed consent, risk minimization, and scientific validity, which became the cornerstone for subsequent international ethical and legal documents. It is shown that the lessons of Nuremberg were reflected in the development of international instruments aimed at regulating medical and research activities (the Helsinki Declaration, the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, the World Health Organization Code of Ethics, the World Medical Association's Geneva Declaration) and directly led to the establishment of the institution of ethics committees, which protect the rights and dignity of research participants. The conclusion is made about the enduring relevance of the Code's principles in the face of new challenges of the 21st century.

About the Authors

A. L. Khokhlov
Yaroslavl State Medical University
Russian Federation

Alexander L. Khokhlov — Dr. Sci (Med.), Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Rector

Yaroslavl 


Competing Interests:

Authors declare no conflict of interest requiring disclosure in this article.



D. Yu. Belousov
Center for Pharmacoeconomic Research
Russian Federation

Dmitry Yu. Belousov — General Director  

Moscow 


Competing Interests:

Authors declare no conflict of interest requiring disclosure in this article.



P. A. Khmelnitskaya
Yaroslavl State Medical University
Russian Federation

Polina A. Khmelnitskaya — Department of Social Work, Economics and Bioethics

Yaroslavl 


Competing Interests:

Authors declare no conflict of interest requiring disclosure in this article.



D. E. Firsov
Yaroslavl State Medical University
Russian Federation

Denis E. Firsov — Cand. Sci. (Philos.), Dr. Sci. (Cultural Studies), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Social Work, Economics, and Bioethics at the Yaroslavl State Medical University, Director of the Institute of Psychology, Sociology, and Bioethics

Yaroslavl 


Competing Interests:

Authors declare no conflict of interest requiring disclosure in this article.



References

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For citations:


Khokhlov A.L., Belousov D.Yu., Khmelnitskaya P.A., Firsov D.E. The significance of the Nuremberg Trials of 1945 for developing biomedical ethics  and the ethical review of biomedical research. Kachestvennaya Klinicheskaya Praktika = Good Clinical Practice. 2025;(4):72-77. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.37489/2588-0519-GCP-0007. EDN: TYHPRM

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ISSN 2588-0519 (Print)
ISSN 2618-8473 (Online)