Humanism in human experimentation: some notes of the investigator's fiduciary role.

Modem medicine is painfully torn between its technologic possi bilities and its traditional trusteeship of the integrity and dignity of the persons it serves. Positioned squarely between the sciences and the humanities and uniquely combining both in the lives of individuals and communities, medicine can he man’s most potent instrument for enhancing his existence. Yet, in few endeavors is man so much in danger of being overshadowed by one of his creations. Can medicine somehow unite its humanistic and scientific elements and become the genius of a new humanism, in which technology serves human pur pose? Or will medicine become the paradigm of a technocratic anti humanism, in which man himself becomes an abstraction? This tension between human concerns and technologic possibility is exquisitely adumbrated in research with human subjects. Here, the traditional mandate of the physician as helper comes increasingly into conflict with his new mandate as scientist and fact-gatherer. Can medi cine remain faithful to both trusts—to be the most scientific of hu manities and the most humanistic of the sciences (13)?