---
title: "Vulnerability, social value and the equitable sharing of benefits from research: beyond the placebo and access debates"
description: "The vulnerability of research participants is a critical topic for the 2024 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki, with the proposal to include “social value. ” However, this proposal has been withdrawn and the relationship between the two concepts has"
url: https://ifapp.org/publication/vulnerability-social-value-and-the-equitable-sharing-of-benefits-from-research-beyond-the-placebo-and-access-debates/
date: 2024-11-17
modified: 2024-11-17
author: "Miguel Espí"
type: publication
lang: en-GB
---

# Vulnerability, social value and the equitable sharing of benefits from research: beyond the placebo and access debates

The vulnerability of research participants is a critical topic for the 2024 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki, with the proposal to include “social value. ” However, this proposal has been withdrawn and the relationship between the two concepts has not been clarified.

This paper attempts to clarify: (1) the recent reform for the ethical inclusion of vulnerable study participants to promote diversity; (2) the social value, prerequisite for everyone, especially for those who are vulnerable and the most in need; (3) the requirements for promoting the inclusion of vulnerable participants, in particular the review of the norms for placebo-controlled trials and post-trial access; (4) finally, the direction of research ethics reform to achieve social value and equitable global health.