The teaching of ethical principles is included in many courses that train researchers on “responsible conduct of research”. The IRB 101sm preconference program at the 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER18), however, was unique in describing the history of the development of modern research ethics, and then providing practical application in real research practice. Read more
In 2010, a little-known research institute, the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), began funding hundreds of clinical studies with the aim of increasing the value of medical innovation. These studies included patients and family members in every step of the research process. This approach, called patient-centered outcomes research, has become a novel tool for conducting health care investigations; but, it raises ethical issues, which have largely been pushed to the background. Read more
Hello Ampersand readers! This is my first year serving as a member of the Blog Squad. I look forward to creating helpful and interesting posts for you as PRIM&R’s 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER18) progresses. Trained as a basic scientist, I received a PhD in Molecular Endocrinology and Biochemistry from Purdue University, and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine Center for Diabetes Research. I am currently a co-chair at Pearl IRB. Read more
Welcome to Research Ethics Reading List, a new feature from Ampersand where we feature books in or adjacent to the field of research ethics that we think you’ll find interesting, motivating, inspiring, challenging, or some combination of the four! In this edition we look at books about tech industry bias and blind spots; the powers, perversions, and potential of heredity; animal Infections and the next human pandemic; and more! Read more
In April, the EPA published a proposed rule titled, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science. The rule would prohibit the EPA from basing regulatory action on scientific studies for which the underlying raw data and models are not publicly available “in a manner sufficient for validation and analysis.” The due date for comments on this rule is August 16. As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research that advances human health and well-being, PRIM&R decided it was important to comment on this proposed rule, detailing two main concerns. First, we believe that the proposed rule arbitrarily restricts access to and use of rigorous, peer-reviewed science in environmental policymaking, to the detriment of the public’s health and trust in the regulatory process. Second, we argue that the proposed rule fails to respect the contributions of human research participants. We urge EPA to withdraw this misguided rule immediately. Read more
