Why might subjects with serious illnesses be considered at risk for exploitation?

Subjects with serious illnesses might be considered at risk for exploitation primarily due to their potential desperation for a possible cure. When individuals are facing serious health challenges, they may be more willing to take risks that they otherwise would not consider, including participating in clinical trials or research studies that promise a chance at healing or improved health outcomes. This desperation can cloud their judgment and compel them to agree to participate in studies without fully understanding their implications or the potential risks involved.

Such circumstances necessitate a heightened ethical obligation for researchers to ensure that informed consent is meaningfully obtained and that participants are fully aware of both the potential benefits and risks associated with their involvement. Consequently, the context of a serious illness can create a power imbalance, where the needs and vulnerabilities of the subjects might be exploited for the sake of research.