Research Ethics

Jawad ul Hassan L1F18BSBT0004

Biosafety and Bioethics

2-June-2022
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2

2. Objective............................................................................................................................................2

3. Nuremberg Code...............................................................................................................................3

4. Ethical Principles of Research..........................................................................................................3

4.1 Minimizing the Risk of Harm...................................................................................................3

4.2 Informed Consent......................................................................................................................4

4.3 Anonymity and Confidentiality................................................................................................4

4.4 Misleading Practices and Right to Withdraw..........................................................................4

4.5 Protection of Vulnerable Groups of People.............................................................................4

5. How to Design Ethical Research studies..........................................................................................4

6. International Review Board..............................................................................................................5

7. Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................5

8. References..........................................................................................................................................5

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 Research Ethics
1. Introduction
Research ethics are those ethics which were conducted while performing a particular research in
laboratory or at industrial level. Ethics are code of conduct and moral values which are necessary
for the survival and persistence of civilization. Research encompasses observation, hypothesis,
experiment and interpretations. Researchers critically analyze and evaluate the data and interpret
results. Research could be In-vitro, In-vivo and In-silico. However, methodology is almost
similar in these three cases. So, while performing any kind of research, it is make sure that
ethical concerns and issues should be addressed. Any kind of ethical issue while conducting the
research should be solved before moving forward to avoid future complications.

2. Objective

 To protect animal or human participant, their rights and dignity

 To ensure that research is for the well-being of mankind
 To certify that particular research is reliable according to ethics
 To expect ethical issues in research

While conducting any kind of research, either In-vitro, In-vivo or In-silico, following steps
should be followed;

 Researcher should have a proper knowledge about the subject or topic he is going to
select.
 Researcher should design a suitable objective of his research, why he is conduction such
research.
 Objective should be novel and advanced.
 Researcher should design a understandable methodology with tools and techniques.
 Interpretations should be according to the objective and there should be no
contradictions.
 No scientific misconduct, academic scandal and plagiarism should be avoided during
write-up.

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These are the ethical and integral issues should be addressed while designing objectives and
methodology of research.

3. Nuremberg Code
Nuremberg code was established after World War 2 in response to Nuremberg trails which were
conducted in America against Nazi leadership for conducting illegal experiments on prisoners.
Nuremberg code provide a code of research ethics which should be applied while performing any
experiment on human, animal and other organisms. There are few points of this code illustrated
below:

 There should be an informed consent and no use of force while performing research.
 The methodology for the research should be known and understandable.
 Participant should be informed about benefits and harms of the experiment.

4. Ethical Principles of Research

Principles that should be followed while conducting a research for the benefit of participant, its
integrity, privacy etc. are called Ethical principles. Some of the ethical principles are detailed
below;

4.1 Minimizing the Risk of Harm

It is important, while conducting research, to no not to harm the participant and researchers try
their beat to avoid any harm to the participant. Participant should also be informed about any
harm while performing experiments. These harms may include;

 Physical harm to the participant.

 Psychological discomfort and humiliation.
 Social drawback
 Desecrations of participant privacy and anonymity.

These risks of harm can be minimized by following these ethical points;

 There should be an informed consent from the participant.

 There should be no disclosure of participant’s privacy, integrity and secrets.

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  All the benefits and harms should be unveiled to participants.
 If participant wants to withdraw from the research project He/She should have the right.

4.2 Informed Consent

Informed consent means participant should be informed about the kind of experiment carried out
on them. There should be beneficence and non-maleficence in the experiment. If there is any
harm or it occur during the experiment, participant should be informed.

4.3 Anonymity and Confidentiality

All the information regarding patients should be anonymous and confidential. No personal and
medical information disclosure without the consent of participant or patient.

4.4 Misleading Practices and Right to Withdraw

While conducting the research there should be no evil practices being performed. Every tool and
technique used in the experiment should be understandable and informed to participant. During
the experiment, if participant wants to withdraw from the experiment He/She should be allowed.
There should be no use of force against the participants for experiment.

4.5 Protection of Vulnerable Groups of People

Vulnerable group of people include disable persons, children, old-age patients with critical
conditions etc. such people should be avoided while performing research and their well-being
should be protected.

5. How to Design Ethical Research studies

The main purpose of the ethical research is the protection of the participant in every perspective.
So while designing a ethical research study following points should be followed;

 There should be informed consent in written form.

 Participant should be taken in confidence for the experiment.
 Minimization of risks of harm.
 Continually monitoring of research events to avoid any inconvenience.

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  Research should be prepared for unexpected events in order to stop the work
 Researchers should have the ability to handle the hostile events.

6. International Review Board

International review Board (IRB), under FDA regulations, has the authority to monitor and
review the biomedical research in which humans are involved. IRB review the proposals
regarding research and has the authority to approve, suggest for modifications and disapprove.

7. Conclusion
Research ethics are the core of any research project and beneficial for the welfare and well-being
of the society and civilization. Research ethics principles provide full integrity and justice to
participants and give them all their rights during the process. Research ethics is concerned about
benefits as well as harms. Research ethics protect the values and morality of participant and
motivate other researcher to do legal research work.

8. References