Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future

Another important part of human testing would be the actual experiment. The Nuremberg Code
also includes details about how experiments should be carried out which is stated in many parts of the
Code:
The experiment should be such as to yield fruitful results for the good of society, unprocurable by
other methods or means of study, and not random and unnecessary in nature…should be so
designed and based on the results of animal experimentation and a knowledge of the natural
history of the disease or other problem under study that the anticipated results will justify the
performance of the experiment… and should be conducted only by scientifically qualified
persons. The highest degree of skill and care should be required through all stages of the
experiment of those who conduct or engage in the experiment. (p. 181-182)
The reason to conduct human testing has to be legitimate and have purpose. It seems like common sense,
but this needs to address everything about the experiment and its participants involved in human testing.
Scientists cannot randomly decide to make a random vaccine and start testing on volunteers. There needs
to be clear focus and reasoning for the experiment that wants to be performed. Also, the professionals that
are conducting the experiment need to be legitimate and qualified for the success of the experiment. An
everyday person cannot decide that they want to act like a scientist and start playing with dangerous
equipment. The professionals with degrees in science and medicine are the ones to dictate the researching
topics that need to be conducted. The specialists involved in the experiment also need to be careful in
their procedures so that the right results are collected safely, without any intentional harm and violation.
Although the Nuremberg Code is presented as just a set of guidelines, there is still a question as
to how the public knows that these guidelines will be in effect with every experiment involving human
test subjects? The answer is: the public will never know since these are not enforced like they should be.
Since it is only a code, and not a law, technically it can be broken. The parts of the codes presented seem
to temporarily protect the rights of the subjects, not permanently protect human subjects. The idea of
making the Nuremburg Code mandatory for all human testing experiments would seem more just in
modern times. In addition to the Nuremberg Code being used effectively, an oath should be created,
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