NASEM has impaneled an impressive committee of experts to evaluate current and future uses of population descriptors in genomic research. This is going to require a deeply challenging examination—a communal reckoning, really—of how terms like race, ethnicity, and ancestry are perceived by diverse stakeholders in the genomic research community and the public at large. Read more
Ensuring that women are represented in research studies and in science fields is an important part of advancing science and ensuring that women justly benefit from research. Research done using only male animals during preclinical trials and predominantly male subjects in human clinical trials leads to knowledge gaps that negatively impact women’s treatment and health outcomes. In recognition of women’s history month, we're highlighting some PRIM&R resources that explore the importance of considering sex as a biological variable and shifting to appropriate sex balance in research studies. Read more
The rollout of testing for sickle cell disease (SCD), implementation of mandatory screening laws, and subsequent stigmatization of African Americans have all had impacts on the Black community’s view of research and testing. For Black History Month, we want to highlight this critical story that most likely helped shape the climate of medical and research mistrust. Read more
After the murder of George Floyd in the late Spring of 2020 and the protests that followed, many organizations, PRIM&R included, found themselves in an overdue moment of introspection. A part of this work included an internal review of how we acknowledge days and months on the calendar that commemorate heritage and awareness groups (e.g. Black History Month, LGBT Pride Month, Disability History/Awareness Month). Read more
In this edition of Research Ethics Reading List, we feature books on HIV/AIDS and research. (Book description copy comes courtesy of each book’s publisher or author website where possible.) Are there books related to HIV/AIDS and research ethics that you want to share? Tell us about them in the comments!
Impure Science: AIDS, Activism, and the Politics of Knowledge (1998)
Steven Epstein
