Research Ethics

The exploration of issues that arise in research ethics is rooted in the cardinal principle of respect for human dignity. Key areas that are currently being addressed in the literature include those of understanding consent and assent to research participation; genetic research; conflict of interest; stem cell research; and inclusivity and protection of traditionally underserviced and/or vulnerable populations such as women, aboriginals and children. Members of the Department are directly or indirectly examining many of these research ethics issues including assent; the return of research results to participants: research publication biases; therapeutic misconception; and stem cell research policy. Department members engage in Dalhousie Univeristy Research Ethics Board deliberations through direct or consultative participation.

Stemming from a review of a submitted manuscript, Dr. Conrad Fernandez has begun exploring ethical issues around publication of research. The first of a series of studies is just completed examining the consistency of instructions to authors regarding ethical issues in research. Further work is in development with respect to understanding editorial policies and procedures for the publication of ethically questionable work.

Dr. Conrad Fernandez is working on understanding ethical issues around the return of research results to research participants. He has approached this from several angles including systematically examining participant attitudes and needs, research ethics board practices and policies and current researcher practices. While on the whole both participants and researchers are highly supportive of the concept, many practical issues need to be addressed : funding, timing, mechanisms especially in the face of negative results, and consequences.

Dr. Lynette Reid is working in the area of research with novel technologies, particularly focusing on early phase research of novel and invasive technologies with "desperate" patient populations. Papers in progress or in press include ones on questions of scientific value around placebo-controlled surgical trials for fetal cell transplantation for Parkinson's, the nature of the harm-benefit tradeoff in gene transfer research for Glioblastoma, the Tri-Council definition of minimal risk, and distinguishing and weighing properly social benefit and scientific value and validity.