Science and ethics in epidemiology

This article is the summary of my Special Lecture at the 14th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Epidemiological Association in 2004. Epidemiology is defined as the "science of investigating the distribution of diseases in human populations and their determinants." Recent advances in study methodology, especially a widespread conduct of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have strengthened the scientific basis of epidemiology. When a highly scientific method of investigation is applied to humans, the ethical aspects of the study also become an issue. However, it would also be unethical to use new drugs and vaccines without scientific evidence. The ethical aspects and the scientific aspects of epidemiologic research are thus both very important, but conflict with each other, often causing dilemmas. I would discuss how we could solve these dilemmas and thus contribute ourselves to health promotion and disease prevention of human populations. Finally, I would propose the new paradigm of changing epidemiology into a "neotype science" and transformation of EKIGAKU (epidemiology) into EKIGAKU (beneficial science).