Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What historical event led to the establishment of the Nuremberg Code in 1949?

1. Nazi Medical Experiments

2. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study

3. The Belmont Report release

4. Thalidomide tragedy

The correct answer is: Nazi Medical Experiments

The Nuremberg Code was established in 1949 as a response to the horrific medical experiments conducted by Nazi doctors during World War II. These experiments often involved inhumane treatment of individuals without their consent, leading to extreme suffering and death. The code sets forth ethical principles for conducting research involving human subjects, emphasizing the need for voluntary consent, the importance of avoiding unnecessary harm, and the necessity of scientific rigor in research design. The establishment of the Nuremberg Code was vital in shaping modern ethical standards for medical and psychological research, as it sought to prevent the abuses evidenced by the actions of Nazi medical personnel. It laid the groundwork for future ethical guidelines and regulations focusing on the rights and welfare of research participants. Other options, while significant in their contexts, pertain to different events and do not directly relate to the formation of the Nuremberg Code.