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Doing the Right Thing

Doing the Right Thing. A Primer on Research Ethics. Research Ethics in the News. Bellesiles resigns University Position History prof’s exit follows release of committee’s report By Andrew Ackerman, News Editor October 29, 2002 … The committee described Bellesiles’ handling

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Doing the Right Thing

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  1. Doing the Right Thing A Primer on Research Ethics

  2. Research Ethics in the News Bellesiles resigns University Position History prof’s exit follows release of committee’s report By Andrew Ackerman, News Editor October 29, 2002 … The committee described Bellesiles’ handling Of the issue the most “egregious misrepresentation” In his research. Funding Suspended Government Halts Funds to Johns Hopkins Following Research Death The Associated Press B A L T I M O R E, July 19 — The government suspended all federally funded research on human subjects at Johns Hopkins University today following the death of a healthy volunteer during an asthma experiment.

  3. Morality and Ethics • Morality: “first-order” beliefs about good and evil and associated practices • Ethics: “second-order,” explicit reflections on moral beliefs and practices

  4. Ethical Decision Making • Clarify values • Identify relevant facts and stakeholders • Identify possible actions & implications • Consult ethical resources • Make a decision

  5. Ethical Dimensions of Research • Contextual Values • What questions matter? • How, and to whom? • Who gets to decide and ask? • Constitutive Values • Conceive, design, execute, interpret • Disseminate, apply results

  6. The Case of Disenfranchised Groups THE TROUBLING LEGACY OF THE TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY Minorities missing out on AIDS trials Study: Blacks, Hispanics lack access to experimental drugs MSNBC NEWS SERVICES May 1 — Minorities account for nearly half of all Americans infected with HIV but are less likely than whites to be included in research trials and have access to experimental medication that could prolong their lives, a new study shows.

  7. Ethical Dimensions of Research • Contextual Values • What questions matter? • How and to whom? • Who gets to decide and ask? • Constitutive Values • Conceive, design, execute, interpret • Disseminate, apply results

  8. Cases at the Interface • Karen M. Ruggiero, PhD, Harvard University, fabricated data in papers on social status and discrimination • Joao Carlos deSales, SF Dept. of Public Health, switched randomization assignments of participants in an HIV counseling study and altered records to conceal it. • Steven F. Arnold, PhD, Tulane University: Falsified results reported in Science, which suggested that the Environmental Protection Agency may need to adjust exposure limits to certain chemicals

  9. Research Misconduct • Falsification • Fabrication • Plagiarism • Other practices that seriously deviate from those commonly accepted in the research community

  10. “Other Practices…” • Misrepresentation of credentials or role • Failure to fulfill obligations to colleagues • Failure to comply with regulations

  11. Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

  12. Technology turns rats into furry 'robots' Robot Rats May Hunt Bombs Roborat Could Help Find Earthquake Victims The animal research I can't defend Roborats give serious scientists the chance to draw an ethical line

  13. Mission • Regulatory: • Public Health Service “Guide” and funding • Animal Welfare Act and USDA regulation • College policy • Ethical: • Facilitate humane, safe work with nonhuman vertebrate animals • Scientific/education justification • The Three “R”s: Replace, refine, reduce

  14. Composition • At least five members, including: • Chair • Laboratory animal veterinarian • Scientist • Member with advanced ethics training • One unaffiliated member • Nonscientist

  15. Human Subjects Research Committee (HSC)

  16. Mission • Regulatory: • Federal policy tied to funding • College policy on all research with human participants • Ethical: • Safeguard rights and welfare of subjects • Scientific/educational justification

  17. Composition • Four faculty members • One unaffiliated member

  18. Occidental College Biosafety Committee (OCBC)

  19. Mission • Regulatory: • Enforce National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines on proper use of pathogenic organisms and recombinant DNA (rDNA) • Ethical: • Protect individuals from potentially dangerous pathogenic organisms and rDNA

  20. Composition • At least five members, including: • Chair • Plant Expert • Animal Expert • Two unaffiliated members

  21. Implications for Students • Participate only in approved work • Consider moral aspects of work • Be an active decision maker

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