Ethics, Human Rights and HIV Vaccine Trials in Low-Income Settings
ResourcesEthics, Human Rights and HIV Vaccine Trials in Low-Income Settings
What is this about?
This fictional case describes the human rights and ethical implications of vaccine trials in low-income communities and countries. Two short, fictional scenarios are analysed from both perspectives. The case revolves around two key points: the informed consent and comprehension of the research by the potential participants and the question to what extend persuasion by the trail conductor is justifiable.
Why is this important?
The number of vaccine development trials that take place in low and lower-middle income countries increases.[1] With this increase in vaccine trials, the risk of exploitation of the local communities also rises. It is important to avoid exploitation and respect the right of autonomy of the research subjects. Therefore, identification of the important ethical issues and the human rights at stake is needed. In this manner, the analysis presented in the current case may be the first step towards policies and regulations that protect the rights of inhabitants of low and lower-middle income countries where vaccine trials take place.
- ↑ Grenham, A., & Villafana, T. (2017). Vaccine development and trials in low and lower-middle income countries: Key issues, advances and future opportunities. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 13(9), 2192–2199. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2017.1356495
