A question of ethics: research and practice in reproductive health.

The intent of the ethical guidelines and regulations, developed over time, that govern research on human subjects is to ensure that research participants are well-informed volunteers, protected from harm, ensured potential benefit, and enrolled in an egalitarian fashion. This study discusses ethical issues that researchers and program planners grapple with in the area of sexual and reproductive health. We illustrate the dilemmas that arise in the application of the ethical principles, how they have been addressed, lessons learned, and remaining challenges. The illustrations come both from research and from service-delivery situations.