The authors examine the ethical concerns associated with the use of placebo controls in clinical trials of antidepressants, including the possible increased risk for morbidity, mortality, suicide & attempted suicide. They report the findings of several studies conducted using data collected by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, evaluating differences in the incidence of suicide & attempts among patients assigned to placebo, established antidepressants, & investigational antidepressants. (3 refs)