Introduction to Research ethics: philosophical foundations and the history of human subjects research
InstructionsIntroduction to Research ethics: philosophical foundations and the history of human subjects research
By the end of te course, you should be able to:
- Discern the morally salient dimensions of a research project, and come to a well-considered judgment about the acceptability of such a project
- Reflect on moral dilemmas for researchers and Research Ethics Committees, and be able to systematically analyze such dilemmas
- Weigh the various arguments involved, and work towards a well-reasoned position or decision
What is this about?
Volunteers are often asked to take part in medical research in order to improve the health and well being of other people, now and in the future. However noble the aim, this raises many ethical questions.
How can we ensure that participants give their genuinely informed consent? What should be provided to control groups during clinical trials? How can we weigh the risks and benefits of various studies? How can we ensure scientific integrity in research? When should we conduct research with vulnerable populations, such as children and people in low- and middle-income countries? How should we interpret the Tuskegee syphilis study from a historical perspective?
There’s never a shortage of questions; it’s the answers that are harder to determine. For example, what type of consent is appropriate for biobanking research? When are the risks and benefits of research appropriately balanced? What special protection mechanisms are needed to include “vulnerable” study populations? How can we ensure scientific integrity in research?
During this course, you will tackle these and other issues, while learning to apply theoretical insights to recent cases.gg
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