3 - Ethical Challenges in Suicide Research

Summary

Moralist, libertarian and relativist ethical positions concerning suicide and its prevention are presented in order to clarify premises upon which ethical issues in suicide research may be resolved. Ethical concerns are differentiated from legal considerations and the implications of the vulnerability of suicidology research participants are discussed. Specific issues arise in design, choice of participants, interpretation, diffusion of results and evaluative research. These include: experimental methodologies, obtaining informed consent, deception and disclosure, studying innovative and unproven interventions, special considerations for research with indigenous participants, unknown consequences of participation, rescue criteria, disclosure of information to third parties, research with prisoners and other special populations, risks in publicising results and measuring the value of human life. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence pose new challenges in risk prediction and assuring equity. When specific legal obligations are lacking, ethical premises concerning the acceptability of suicide and obligations to intervene may influence research protocols.