Placebo Topic

The topic I am going to research is Placebos and their effect. Placebos are sugar pills or other look a -like medications that have no active medical ingredient but are often used and prescribed to patients to give them the impression that they are being treated. The question of whether it is ethical for doctors to use them has grown increasingly debatable over the years. Not only is the doctor-patient relationship to be considered, but the effects that these “harmless” placebos have is an important aspect as well. Although some patients feel cheated and deceived by being given these pills that they think to be helping them when they really are not, there are some who feel that they have a positive affect on the mind and body and that is a good enough reason for doctors to use them. In addition, over the years the definition of Placebos has been ever changing. The most common placebos the American doctors reported using were headache pills, vitamins and sugar pills but recently, a large number has admitted to using antibiotics and sedatives which do have affects on the body. I will be taking a stance on whether it is ethical and healthy for doctors to use placebos.