The Ethical Issues Surrounding Biomedical Research
The ethical issues surrounding biomedical research are discussed in Chapter 12. It provides an outline of the ethical issues that have been encountered as well as the ethical considerations that should be implemented whenever biological research involving humans is done. The chapter is divided into four major sections: (1) Human research principles, which discuss the major principles, (2) Duty of the researcher – emphasizes the researcher's ethical responsibility, (3) Introduction to significant documents: the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report, and the Helsinki Declaration, and (4) current issues: stem cell research and cloning. The principals involved in human research generally cover all the principles that are applicable to a researcher as he conducts a biological study. They include institutional regulations, national regulations, international guidelines, and the international principles of ethical research. They specifically talk about maintaining confidentiality of the participants, acknowledging sources, protecting subjects, avoiding using live animals. If animals must be used, the researcher must be compassionate, show care, and minimize suffering and pain to the animal among other principles (Shah, 2011).
The Obligations of the Researcher in a Biological Study
The obligations of the researcher in a biological study are also highlighted in this chapter. The researcher is supposed to uphold all the above principles along with any other applicable principle relating to human research. He should also observe what is stated in the key documents and ensure the humans involved in the research are treated fairly and that their welfare is protected. The researcher is also obligated to refrain from other research misconducts such as intentional negligence or intentional fabrication (Shah, 2011).
Introduction to Key Documents: the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report, and the Helsinki Declaration
The topic: 'Introduction to key documents: the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report, and the Helsinki Declaration' discusses some of the documents that guide and bind researchers whenever they conduct research touching on humans. These three, the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report, and the Helsinki Declaration are international guiding principles applicable to all researchers across the globe (Shah, 2011). Chapter 12 covers all aspects concerning ethics in biological studies from the participants, the researchers, and the institutions and regulation bodies involved.
Reference
Shah, N. (2011). Ethical issues in biomedical research and publication. Journal of Conservative Dentistry : JCD, 14(3), 205–207. http://doi.org/10.4103/0972-0707.85787
