This presentation will describe the results of a study commissioned by the National Bioethics Advisory Committee (NBAC). It explores the attitudes and experiences of developing country investigators regarding ethics of research. Specific inquiry into the ethical issues they face, their opinion of ethical guidelines and their concerns regarding externally funded research was conducted. The study was based on a self-administered survey delivered by internet, email and hard copy to over 400 researchers in the developing world. Databases of 4 international health organizations were used to construct a sample of researchers from Africa, Asia and Latin America to receive the survey. In addition, focus group discssions and in-depth interviews were held with selected developing country researchers to explore their views in detail. This is the first attempt to capture opinions of these investigators in such a manner. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative work will be presented with special emphasis on the expressed opinions on: -conducting specific research in the developing world as opposed to the developed world; -availability of intervention/s to the local population after completion of research; and -the control exerted by developing country investigators on the research process.
Learning Objectives: The presentation will: 1. provide an overview of the ethical issues encounctered by developing country researchers in the conduc of their work; 2. define the specific challenges faced by research in these settings 3. identify the most important ethical issues emerging from this survey from all regions of the developing world 4. allow the paticipants to appreciate the value of empirical evidence in exploring sensitive ethical issues
Keywords: Ethics, Research Ethics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.