Which statement correctly describes therapeutic studies?

• A. Therapeutic studies are usually justified by potential good to the subjects and to future patients or society.
• B. Non-therapeutic studies are justified by potential good to the subjects.
• C. Therapeutic studies are justified solely by the investigators' interests.
• D. Non-therapeutic studies are justified by potential good to the individual patient.

Answer: (A)

Therapeutic studies are justified by the possibility of direct health benefits to participants and by the knowledge gained that can help future patients or society. In ethics, a study that offers a potential direct benefit to those enrolled, while also contributing to medical knowledge, fits the idea of therapeutic research. Even when the individual benefit isn’t certain, the prospect of improving care for the subjects or for others in the future provides a legitimate justification, as long as the risk-benefit balance and informed consent are appropriate. That’s why the statement that therapeutic studies are usually justified by potential good to the subjects and to future patients or society is the best description.

The other options misstate the basis for justification. Non-therapeutic studies are not justified by direct benefit to the subjects; they are justified by social or scientific value, not by individual benefit. Saying therapeutic studies are justified solely by investigators’ interests ignores patient welfare and societal value. And non-therapeutic studies are not justified by potential good to the individual patient, since they don’t aim for direct benefit to the participant.