Human research rules have become a compliance bureaucracy, argues sociologist Sarah Babb in her 2020 book Regulating Human Research: IRBs from Peer Review to Compliance Bureaucracy, but that's not an inherently bad thing. The social and political climate the first research regulations were made in, and the enforcement mechanisms that would eventually take hold, have rationally led to the large and sophisticated bureaucracy that human research protections is today. Read more
by Emily Anthes, science journalist and author
I'm thrilled that my book, Frankenstein's Cat: Cuddling Up to Biotech's Brave New Beasts, has been selected for the Research Ethics Book Group Lunch at this year's IACUC Conference. I will be on hand at the conference to answer questions and help [...] Read more
by Michele Russell-Einhorn, JD, senior director of the Office for Human Research Studies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Imagine that you are an investigator and you have submitted a research protocol for review by the institutional review board (IRB) at your institution. The research involves a bone marrow biopsy. The approval comes back from the IRB with the following condition: The first subject enrolled in the research must be the investigator.
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by Nicholas Spetko, Membership Services Intern
The portrayal of scientific research and research ethics in popular media can offer considerable insight. To reflect on some of the lessons offered, PRIM&R staff have spent the summer reading and watching classic books, movies, and television shows that have generated conversation and debate around issues related to research ethics. Over the next several weeks, they will share their reflections here, so join us as we explore popular representations of the research world.
In this week’s installment of our summer series looking at depictions of research ethics [...] Read more
I was excited to read State of Wonder by Ann Patchett for Ampersand’s Summer Reading List. Having thoroughly enjoyed two of Patchett’s previous books (The Magician’s Assistant and Bel Canto), I looked forward to her most recent New York TimesRead more
