Essentially, everyone is in some state of vulnerability. However, some of us are more susceptible to harm due to our vulnerabilities. Susceptible individuals are those at greatest risk. These individuals risk the loss of their autonomy and perhaps even their lives. Vulnerable populations can be found in every subset of society. However, as mentioned above, there are some vulnerable populations who are at even greater risk than others. Such populations may include; but are not limited to; sick individuals, economically disadvantaged people, women, children and men from disadvantaged backgrounds. Vulnerable populations can sometimes be classified as “them” versus those who are less vulnerable (the “us”). This “us” versus “them” is an ideal that Bankoff clarifies in his article Vulnerability as a Western Discourse. Vulnerable populations that fall into the category of “them” are the most vulnerable, the weak, and certainly the exploited and dehumanized individuals. Since the “us” are not as vulnerable, they are the ones who hold the power and privilege. By looking at this dichotomy, we can see how important it is to protect these seemingly subordinate vulnerable populations. In medical research, there should be a broad theoretical framework to guide the researcher in making ethical decisions. As vulnerable populations are exploited by researchers for the purpose of medical research, and not necessarily for the benefit of the patient, bioethics has become a module that must free the vulnerable individual from exploitation. Furthermore, he seeks to exploit his own vulnerability while restoring autonomy. Sick individuals are not only vulnerable because of… half of the paper… incentives in a study can be known as a form of coercion. .When we realize that we are all part of one human race, we can begin to define what equality is. Instead of seeking to justify the exploitation of vulnerable populations, bioethics will seek to bring justice to the exploited and provide consequences for the unethical researcher. By recognizing the vulnerabilities of the exploited, we can conceptualize better ways to coordinate the ethical standards they should follow. Works Cited Flanigan, Rosemary. “Vulnerability and the bioethics movement.” Bioethics Forum (n.d.): 13-16.Klein, Joan Echtenkamp. Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study. 2009. November 17, 2011 .Kottow and Michael H. The Vulnerable and the Susceptible. Item. Garsington Road: Blackwell Publishing , 2003.