Therapeutic Misconception as a Problem of Nonmaleficence by Way of False Hope
摘要
According to a standard view, therapeutic misconception is a problem for informed consent and thereby respect for participant autonomy. This view is plausible given that therapeutic misconception refers to the mistaken beliefs of research participants regarding the nature and purpose of and their role in research. I do not disagree that therapeutic misconception can be a problem for informed consent and respect for autonomy; I disagree that it is only a problem for informed consent and respect for autonomy. The aim of this paper is to show that therapeutic misconception also harms participants, and as such, it is a matter of non-maleficence. I do this by showing that therapeutic misconception (often) fosters and sustains false hope, and since false hope harms people, therapeutic misconception is also a concern of non-maleficence.