16
Jun2015

The Evolution of Environmental Enrichment

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16 Jun
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By Amy Davis, JD, MPH. This post is a follow up to our May 27, 2014 post on the topic of environmental enrichment of animals in research settings. After that post was published, PRIM&R received a letter from Allyson J. Bennett, PhD, chair of the Committee on Animal Research and Ethics at the American Psychological Association (APA), and Sangeeta Panicker, PhD, director of research ethics at the APA, expressing their disapproval of our treatment of the topic (read the letter from Drs. Bennett and Panicker). In the spirit of transparency and respectful dialog, PRIM&R has written this second post, which we believe is a more considered treatment of an important and complex issue. We thank Drs. Bennett and Panicker for their feedback and for prompting us to take this second look. Read more

11
Jun2015

Ethical Research Will Always Be a “Work in Progress”: An Interview with Kirstin Morningstar

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11 Jun
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Welcome to another installment of our featured member interviews where we introduce you to our members—individuals who work to advance ethical research on a daily basis. Please read on to learn more about Kirstin Morningstar, MBA, CIP, CPIA director of Regulatory Services at University of Texas at Arlington. Read more

8
Jun2015

PRIM&R Meets with OMB to Offer Input on Proposed Changes to the “Common Rule”

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8 Jun
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By Elisa A. Hurley, PhD, executive director

It has been nearly four years since the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released for public comment an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), titled Human Subjects Research Protections: Enhancing Protections for Research Subjects and Reducing Burden, Delay, and Ambiguity for Investigators. The ANPRM, which proposed the first changes to the "Common Rule" since it was published in 1991, catalyzed considerable debate and discussion about the appropriate regulation of human subjects research.

In the Read more

5
Jun2015

Research Ethics Roundup: Questions Raised by Same-Sex Marriage Study, Rapid Research, and More

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5 Jun
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From research being conducted by Facebook to questions raised by a study on public opinion of same-sex marriage, this week's Research Ethics Roundup delves into the world of social and behavioral research. Read on to learn more about these and other stories in the world of research ethics and oversight.

Do You Consent?: In  this piece for Slate, James Grimmelmann, JD, considers questions raised by studies conducted by Facebook and other entities outside of the traditional research realm, and considers the role of research oversight in those contexts.
<[...] Read more

4
Jun2015

Legislation Changes the Rules for Research Uses of Newborn Dried Bloodspots

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4 Jun
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By Avery Avrakotos, education and policy manager

In March, the Newborn Screening Saves Live Reauthorization Act of 2014 went into effect. The act, which is an extension of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008, reauthorizes nearly $20 million in funding and expands state-based infant screening programs. It also contains a controversial amendment that requires informed consent for any federally funded research activities using newborn dried bloodspots.
Infant screening programs have been in place in the United States for more than 50 years. The programs, which are Read more