PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Azgad Gold
AU  - Pesach Lichtenberg
TI  - The moral case for the clinical placebo
AID  - 10.1136/medethics-2012-101314
DP  - 2014 Apr 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 219--224
VI  - 40
IP  - 4
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/4/219.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/4/219.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2014 Apr 01; 40
AB  - Placebos are arguably the most commonly prescribed drug, across cultures and throughout history. Nevertheless, today many would consider their use in the clinic unethical, since placebo treatment involves deception and the violation of patients’ autonomy. We examine the placebo's definition and its clinical efficacy from a biopsychosocial perspective, and argue that the intentional use of the placebo and placebo effect, in certain circumstances and under several conditions, may be morally acceptable. We highlight the role of a virtue-based ethical orientation and its implications for the beneficent use of the placebo. In addition, the definitions of lying and deception are discussed, clarified and applied to the clinical placebo dilemma. Lastly, we suggest that concerns about patient autonomy, when invoked as a further argument against administering placebos, are extended beyond their reasonable and coherent application.