PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P Lichtenberg
AU  - U Heresco-Levy
AU  - U Nitzan
TI  - The ethics of the placebo in clinical practice
AID  - 10.1136/jme.2002.002832
DP  - 2004 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 551--554
VI  - 30
IP  - 6
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/30/6/551.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/30/6/551.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2004 Dec 01; 30
AB  - While discussions of the ethics of the placebo have usually dealt with their use in a research context, the authors address here the question of the placebo in clinical practice. It is argued, firstly, that the placebo can be an effective treatment. Secondly, it is demonstrated that its use does not always entail deception. Finally guidelines are presented according to which the placebo may be used for clinical purposes. It is suggested that in select cases, use of the placebo may even be morally imperative. The argument is illustrated by three case vignettes.