role of research ethics committees

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

Ethics is concerned with the interests and welfare of morally significant beings. Also the critical evaluation of moral claims and making judgements accordingly.

Question 2

What is research ethics?

Answer 2

A form of ethics which considers the rights and interests of the research subject, the duties and responsibilities of the researcher, as well as the value of the research.

Question 3

What did Benjamin Cordoza state in 1914?

Answer 3

That any operation without patients consent commits an assault. This principle is widely applied today.

Question 4

What are the roles of RECs?

Answer 4

1. Safeguards the rights, safety, dignity and well being of people participating in research in the NHS
2. Review applications for research and give opinions about the proposed participant involvement and whether research is ethical
3. Is independent of research sponsors and investigations

Question 5

Give examples of lack of researcher integrity.

Answer 5

Andrew Wakefield falsified data claiming that the MMR vaccine is a cause for autism. The data was hugely incorrect and has led to huge controversy in many countries, in which children are no longer receiving the MMR vaccine, resulting in a spike in the incidence of measles and mumps.

Question 6

What is the issue with inducements in research?

Answer 6

Payments should not be so large (or medical services so extensive) that subjects are induced to give their consent to participate in the research against their better judgement.

Question 7

What ethical standards are used for research?

Answer 7

1. The Nuremberg Code

2. The Declaration of Helsinki