The Prepared Code: Global Code of Conduct for Research during Pandemics
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The Prepared Code: Global Code of Conduct for Research during Pandemics
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What is this about?
The PREPARED Code is a global code of conduct for research during pandemics. Developed by an international, multilingual, and multidisciplinary consortium, it provides ethical and integrity-based guidance for researchers, research ethics committees, and institutions during pandemic crises. It is grounded in human rights and structured around four core values: fairness, respect, care, and honesty.
The Code addresses urgent ethical challenges, such as fast data sharing, equitable stakeholder engagement, inclusion of vulnerable populations, and protection of research participants.
Structured into four sections, it outlines how to uphold ethical standards under pressure. Fairness promotes collaboration and equitable access. Respect emphasizes informed consent, ethics oversight, and fair treatment of community researchers. Care protects patient safety, supports healthcare systems, and ensures biosafety. Honesty calls for transparency in data use, communication, and publishing.Why is this important?
The PREPARED Code is important because it ensures that research during pandemics is conducted ethically, transparently, and fairly, even under urgent and high-pressure conditions. It protects vulnerable populations, promotes collaboration, and safeguards public trust in science. By guiding researchers to uphold values like fairness, respect, care, and honesty, the Code helps prevent exploitation, misinformation, and harm. It also supports ethical decision-making, informed consent, and responsible data sharing. In times of crisis, when rapid research is essential, this Code provides a globally relevant standard to balance scientific urgency with human dignity and ethical integrity.
