Researchers gather to discuss code of ethics

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Caribbean Health Research Council, PAHO and WHO is this week conducting a Research Ethics Workshop. That is, the proper collection of data to ensure accurate analysis and reports. According to organisers, the goal of this conference is to acquaint participants with the latest developments in research ethics and regulations, examine past cases that raised serious ethical questions, and review the current status of research ethics in the Caribbean. Today, News Five spoke with two of the workshop’s facilitators.

Dr. Derrick Aarons, Consultant, Bio Ethicist
?What we are looking at at this particular workshop are the many issues that arise when you do research, the ethics, how you interact with the human participants, what are the things, the safeguards that you need to have in place. So we are discussing, for both researchers, as well as a research ethics committee, what are the issues that they need to look at in terms of protecting the welfare of prospective participants. And this is a global effort, because we have multi-national research.?

Dr. Anthony Mullings, Facilitator, Bioethics Workshop
?Persons who submit themselves to serve in these areas will need to take on some responsibility for their own ongoing process. Some authorities recommend formal refreshers at one or two year intervals, but usually these individuals will undergo ongoing training as you have to face different issues as you go along.?

The training workshop concludes on November twenty-fifth.