A consensus has emerged that the paternalism behind use of the provocative saline infusion test for nonepileptic seizures cannot be justified because the harms to the patient, the physician, and their relationship exceed the benefits.

The AMA Code of Medical Ethics’ opinions on prescribing and advertising drugs to consumers and employing surgical placebos.

A physician argues against the use of placebo medications in routine clinical care situations where the medication may be warranted but the patient has not been fully informed about the treatment.

Placebo controls n surgical research can be performed ethically when certain criteria are met.

The authors of a systematic review of 130 clinical trials conclude that there is no justification for the use of placebos as therapeutic treatment outside of clinical trials.