The Ethics of Relying on Research Participants’ Altruism

Abstract We examine the ethics of enrolling individuals in research that poses net health risks by appealing to their altruism. We argue that it is permissible to enroll individuals who are motivated by altruism when (i) they autonomously consent; and (ii) the net health risks are outweighed by the combination of (ii-a) the extent to which participation furthers their considered aims and thereby contributes to their wellbeing and agency and (ii-b) the study’s social value. Further, it is permissible to enroll altruistic individuals who cannot consent when: (I) their surrogate consents and they assent, ideally because it furthers their aims; and (II) the net health risks are outweighed by the extent to which participation contributes to their wellbeing and agency. This account leads us to suggest a revision of consent forms to include more information about studies’ social value and a reduction of barriers to the enrollment of participants who cannot consent.