Articles tagged with Research Ethics
Gene therapy research in low- and middle-income countries has raised concerns about the ethical use of patients from deprived populations. Researchers argue that these trials should address local health needs and be affordable for implementation in those countries' healthcare systems.
A new review suggests that participants' desire for transparency outweighs bioethicists' concerns about potential negative psychological consequences. Volunteers generally want access to aggregate study results and some individual results if relevant to their lives. However, individual results can be overwhelming and expensive to provide.
New guidelines provide guidance for medical researchers on how to handle ancillary care needs in developing countries. The four Ps - Positive obligation, Planning Partnership, and Practical steps - offer a framework for addressing these needs.
Francis S. Collins, a renowned geneticist and former Human Genome Project leader, has been awarded the inaugural Inamori Ethics Prize at Case Western Reserve University. The prize recognizes his outstanding contributions to promoting ethical leadership in genetics and improving human health.
A computer-based program using a video doctor sharply reduces HIV-positive patients' sexual and drug risk behaviors, according to UCSF researchers. The Positive Choice program was tested at five San Francisco Bay Area outpatient clinics and showed significant reductions in risky behaviors among participants.
A global team of experts recommends establishing guidelines for human-genome sequencing research to ensure ethical practices. Key recommendations include participant withdrawal rights and obtaining clear consent for future gene use.
Researchers at UW-Madison have successfully reprogrammed skin cells into embryonic stem cells, potentially resolving the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. This breakthrough could lead to a shift in government funding policies and pave the way for non-embryonic stem cell research.
A new study suggests that climate change will primarily impact the world's poor, who are least responsible for the problem, highlighting an ethical crisis. The research, led by Jonathan Patz, quantifies the relationship between carbon emissions and disease burden, revealing stark contrasts between developed and developing countries.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that a person's moral identity motivates behavior, but accurate judgments are needed to set it in the right direction. A strong moral identity can push individuals toward socially desirable outcomes, but without proper guidance, it can also lead to undesirable behaviors.
The Penn Center for the Integration of Genetic Healthcare Technology will examine the certainty or uncertainty of results from genetic testing. Team members will conduct original research on genetic technologies and develop tools to educate consumers, professionals, policy makers, and insurers.
A research project at Kansas State University aims to improve scientific communication with the public. The team, funded by a $100,000 NSF grant, is exploring how scientists convey complex information in an ethical and effective manner.
A set of practical ethical guidelines for biobank research has been put forward by Swedish ethics researchers, providing a comprehensive solution to the complex regulations surrounding tissue samples. The framework balances conflicting interests and offers a peer-review process to ensure scrutiny.
A leading group of scientists recommends encouraging genetic research in sports for its potential benefits in public health, but warns of ethical concerns, including perceived racism and genetic doping. The report calls for more research and debate about the implications of genetic testing on athletes.
A pioneering study has identified 13 key areas of concern for major science programs in developing countries, including community engagement, cultural acceptability, and corruption. The study aims to promote effective project planning and minimize adverse impacts on research participants.
Iowa State University and Great Ape Trust are creating a world-class research center for primatology, providing opportunities for students to collaborate on tool use, culture, language, and intelligence. The partnership recognizes shared scientific and ethical values in primate research.
A study funded by ESRC suggests that ethical consumption is a political phenomenon rather than a market response. People are aware of issues like Fairtrade and environmental sustainability but often lack effective pathways to act on their concerns.
The Johns Hopkins Fogarty African Research Ethics Training Program has successfully trained 23 African professionals in bioethics, enabling them to implement changes in their home countries. Trainees have made institutional changes, drafted guidelines, and raised awareness of the need for research ethics support.
A University of Alberta study found that rural Albertans' strong work ethic and sense of place can influence their decision not to seek medical help for congestive heart failure. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, with patients often waiting days or even weeks for symptoms to subside.
A recent paper by Dartmouth Professor Ronald M. Green examines six approaches to deriving human embryonic stem cells in ways that avoid destroying living human embryos. These alternatives aim to make hESC research more universally acceptable, while respecting the sensitivities of citizens.
The CARTaGENE project aims to advance population genomics research in Quebec with $34.5M funding. The project will provide resources and infrastructure for researchers to study genes responsible for disease, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Researchers found that value judgments in framing research questions, identifying problems, and designing studies can lead to better research outcomes. Medical researchers may unconsciously make these value-laden decisions, mistakenly believing they automatically introduce bias.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine raises questions about the humanity of lethal injection protocols. The authors found that prisoners may be conscious and experience pain during execution, potentially leading to death by asphyxiation. This challenges the conventional view of lethal injection as a peaceful and painless death.
A unique 'barometer' gauges the ethics of research abroad by rating its compliance with laws and regulations in one's home country. Research deemed too risky or unethical, such as developing chemical weapons, falls into the red zone.
A study of European research ethics committees found that while some had informal rules for gender diversity, few had formal requirements to ensure equal representation of both sexes. Despite EU policy on gender equality in health research, limited attention was paid to these issues.
Research ethics committees in Africa often lack adequate funding, staffing and training, leading to a focus on scientific aspects over ethical considerations. The study's findings highlight the need for national policies and international support to establish and monitor research ethics committees across the continent.
Research ethics committees in Africa struggle with inadequate funding, staffing, and training, hindering their effectiveness. Despite these challenges, many RECs have shown promise by prioritizing ethics and having predictable funding.
A recent study by the University of Leeds reveals that consumers often trade off environmental performance for price, with most valuing bargains over eco-friendly options. Researchers identified three types of consumers: selectors, translators, and exceptors, who vary in their commitment to sustainable values.
A recent ESRC study found that community regeneration professionals' commitment and resilience are deeply rooted in their early life experiences. The study highlights the importance of community development activities in regeneration areas and the need for policy makers and managers to grasp the distinction between capacities and skills.
The Women's Bioethics Project has launched a new podcast series titled 'The Scientist & the Ethicist', which explores topical ethical issues related to reproductive and genetic technologies. The podcast features conversations with prominent bioethicists discussing topics such as designer babies, genetic engineering, and cloning.
Larry J. Shuman, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He was awarded this distinction after making outstanding contributions to engineering education and technology. Shuman's research focuses on improving the engineer...
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory examines the social, economic, and ethical impact of dual-use research on society. Researchers discuss potential options to reduce the misuse of proteomics and explore the consequences of biological and medical knowledge on citizens' privacy.
Dr. Paul Root Wolpe argues that scientists have a unique responsibility to advocate for their research and carefully consider ethical implications. By doing so, they can advance their own work and improve the public's understanding of scientific breakthroughs.
A team of law professors, physicians, and bioethicists will develop standards for tests on human subjects in research involving genetic technologies for enhancement. The project aims to identify differences between therapeutic and non-therapeutic enhancements and determine ethical conditions for conducting such research.
The brittlestar model provides a realistic approach to studying stem cells in living organisms, shedding light on the recovery of the nervous system after regeneration. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Research by the University of Toronto Joint Center for Bioethics reveals five interrelated approaches used by 13 bioscience firms to address ethical issues, including strong leadership, external expertise, and internal mechanisms. The study provides a constructive starting point for the industry to build upon.
A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that bioscience companies are formalizing systematic approaches to ethical decision-making, including Ethical leadership, External expertise, and Ethics evaluation and reporting mechanisms. The research shows that these approaches are becoming an integral part of day-to-day decision-making.
A study of 5,000 managers found that both small and large firms showed increasingly positive selections on their own ethical views. This trend was observed across three decades, with no difference between large and small firms except in the 1993 survey.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal's (CMAJ) Editor-in-Chief and Senior Deputy Editor were dismissed after a dispute over an article on emergency contraceptive pills. The move has raised concerns about the balance between publishing peer-reviewed research and investigative journalism.
The article highlights the need for researchers to navigate intricate legal, ethical, and political issues surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. The author, Henry T. Greely, emphasizes that these concerns will significantly impact researchers, institutions, and science as a whole.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
The Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics offers a pioneering 'benchside' consultation program to help basic-science researchers identify ethical and social impacts of their work. The program advises ways to minimize risks and maximize benefits, with seven Stanford researchers having sought consults since its inception.
A student group at the University of Washington has developed a successful grassroots effort to create science policy dialogue, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss key issues. The Forum on Science Ethics and Policy (FOSEP) aims to increase public engagement in science and policy discussions.
A recent study by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine emphasizes the need for doctors to prioritize public interests in medical research, advising against withholding negative results from clinical trials. The organization's guiding ethical principles recommend agreeing publication with sponsors before trial initiation.
Researchers are working on a three-year €2.5 million project to isolate and expand mesenchymal stem cells from cord blood for use in therapies. The goal is to create viable new medical uses for these stem cells, which could be used to repair bone defects and fractures.
A recent study by University of Washington researcher Scott Reynolds found that people who focus on the ends (consequences) are less sensitive to ethical issues involving rule violations. In contrast, those who prioritize means (morality) recognize both harmful and non-harmful situations as ethical issues.
College students who have positive role models such as clergy, Boy Scout leaders, friends, and college advisers exhibit less willingness to adopt questionable ethical behavior in negotiations. In contrast, those with negative role models like journalists and coaches tend to be more accepting of unethical tactics.
The study aims to assess the extent of use of the program in three states, compare it to traditional end-of-life care planning, and examine its impact on symptom management. Researchers will gather data through phone surveys and medical chart reviews to inform strategies for improving end-of-life programs nationwide.
A study by Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund found that academic scientists in the natural sciences are less likely to believe in God compared to those in the social sciences. The survey of over 2,000 faculty members revealed distinct frameworks for viewing religion and spirituality among different disciplines.
Research involving human stem cells in nonhuman primate brains may be necessary and effective, but oversight boards must consider six key factors to ensure ethics are maintained. The number of human cells used and animal brain size are among the factors considered.
Kansas State University professors Dann Fisher and Swanson advocate for a new national rule requiring three hours of accounting and business ethics coursework for certified public accountants. The proposed rule aims to prevent corporate ethics scandals like Enron and Arthur Andersen by emphasizing moral judgment in accounting graduates.
Women donating eggs for stem cell research face unique risks and lack adequate protections. Stanford bioethicists advocate for a new category of research subjects and set of guidelines to ensure informed consent. The proposed changes aim to promote ethical egg donation practices.
A new strategy, developed by the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, aims to integrate and value ethical decision-making in healthcare. The 'hub and spokes' model assigns a central ethics resource to share knowledge and guidance with frontline employees, promoting accountability and sustainability.
The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence will explore different types of ethics to serve as a common spiritual backbone for humankind. The center will promote deep, continuous ethical discourse among students and faculty at Case Western Reserve University.
The new Ethics Manual revisits and expands on earlier topics, including sections on chaperones and privacy, gifts from patients, and health and human rights. The fifth edition provides an ethical framework for physicians to make complex decisions in a changing environment.
A leading ethicist argues that taking part in medical research is a moral duty for the public good. He suggests changing the Declaration of Helsinki to justify compulsion in certain circumstances, citing examples like vaccination and jury service.
The Trust supports well-established researchers to carry out single, outstanding projects. Professor Hillel Steiner's 'Just Price' project explores the concept of fair prices, while Professor David Hulme's book synthesizes global poverty reduction research.
Leading researchers, including Gerald Schatten, explore the potential of stem cells from therapeutic cloning for treating various diseases. However, concerns over safety, efficacy, and ethical implications remain a topic of debate.
Diane Swanson's research reveals that executives prioritizing ethics tend to prefer fair pay, while those downplaying values often have higher salaries. This finding highlights the need for business education to focus on service to community rather than self-centeredness.
The study found that even insured individuals recognize and are willing to accept tradeoffs between having more generous benefits and having coverage for all. Insured citizens deliberated on this issue, voicing sophisticated arguments for and against giving up some of their benefits to include the uninsured.
The NHGRI has launched four centers to pioneer interdisciplinary research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic knowledge. The centers will assemble teams of experts to develop innovative approaches to addressing pressing issues in genome research.