Research Ethics Committees and Paternalism

The Role of Scientific Ethics Committees in Approving Research

The paper focuses on the role of the scientific ethics committee in approving research. According to the authors, the functions of RECs are still being studied, despite the fact that they have been the focus of much discussion since they were first commissioned by the 1975 Helsinki Declaration amendments. The paper’s main point is that these commissions do not condemn study ideas because they pose a danger to people who are knowledgeable enough to grant consent. Edwards et al. argue that a research ethics committee cannot itself assess individual competence on a purely pragmatic basis because it does not come into contact with patients_x0094_ (89). However, the authors still maintain that the committees should protect people who might be vulnerable by requesting valid consent from the recruiters.<\/p>

Analyzing Deaths in Research Participation

To bring out their point, the authors analyzed the deaths of Ellen Roche and Jesse Gelsinger, who _x0093_knowingly agreed to be exposed to the risks linked with research participation purely based on unselfish reasons_x0094_ (89). The two cases helped the authors argue their points that competent individuals have the ability to participate in risky research, and RECs cannot judge individual competence. These sentiments are in line with the role of RECs, which is to ensure proposed studies on human subjects and meet the local and international ethical standards. They should also monitor the research once it takes off to its completion (World Health Organization, 11). Their mandate does not include assessing whether the subjects are competent enough to give informed consent or rejecting the proposals on paternal reasons.<\/p>

Works Cited

Edwards, S. J. L., et al. _x0093_Research Ethics Committees and Paternalism_x0094_. Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 30, no. 1, 2004, pp. 88_x0096_91.

World Health Organization. _x0093_Research Ethics Committee: Basic Concepts for Capacity Building._x0094_ Geneva, WHO Library Cataloguing-In-Publication Data, 2009. Print.