Question 7.28

7.28 The Willowbrook hepatitis studies. In the 1960s, children entering the Willowbrook State School, an institution for the mentally retarded, were deliberately infected with hepatitis. The researchers argued that almost all children in the institution quickly became infected anyway. The studies showed for the first time that two strains of hepatitis existed. This finding contributed to the development of effective vaccines. Despite these valuable results, the Willowbrook studies are now considered an example of unethical research. Explain why, according to current ethical standards, useful results are not enough to allow a study.