Friend or foe? Building better relationships between HRECs and researchers
Dr Gary Allen
February 2, 2023
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Research Ethics Monthly
ISSN 2206-2483
Unnatural justice: Public allegations could cause significant harm to vital clinical trial activity
October 25, 2021
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In this thought-provoking post, Nik Zeps (a consultant with AHRECS and a partner at Chrysalis) discusses the serious harm (in terms of reputation and career, as well as lost useful lines of inquiry) when there are complaints that allege ethical problems with clinical research.
These relate to situations where the clinical research is evaluating different kinds of intervention, where the evidence for the ‘accepted’ treatment might not be clear.
A misunderstanding of such research designs and a visceral reaction to apparent breaches aren’t helpful.
When such allegations are made, the researchers are rarely afforded an opportunity to respond and explain. If they were, one assumes that the manner could be easily cleared up.
We are embarrassed to admit in our own reporting of the cited case we really didn’t grasp the realities of what occurred or called out the very emotive reaction.
Regulation of human epigenetic editing: ensuring international frameworks for governing Human Genome Editing don’t impede vital medical research
August 31, 2021
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In this thoughtful post, Nik Zeps reflects on human genome manipulation in medical research, the ethical guidance in Australia and internationally.
He discusses CRISPR and the furore in 2018 around the ‘genetically modified babies’ in China.
Nik then discusses the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed discussions about human genetic manipulation off the media radar.
Nevertheless, there have been important international discussions about the topic, including a new WHO Framework. This topic was recently discussed in a paper by Zeps, Lysaght et al. 2021.
The situation might position the WHO as a major player in the international discussion about human genetic manipulation.
Embedding clinical research as part of routine healthcare: Managing the potential for competing interests. (UPDATED).
June 29, 2020
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Nik Zeps AHRECS Consultant Clinical trials are widely accepted as the best method for understanding whether any particular medical
Advances in Medicine often require innovation in ethical thinking too
December 22, 2019
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Nik Zeps and Tanya Symons AHRECS Consultant Breakthroughs in medicine often highlight the existing limitations of the frameworks established to
Inclusion of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations in Clinical Trials:
December 4, 2019
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Nik Zeps AHRECS Consultant Clinical trials have enormous value to society as they provide the most robust means of working
The inclusion of retracted trials in systematic reviews: implications for patients’ safety
May 26, 2018
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After a paper has been through peer review and has been published it is the obligation of the scientific community
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Featured posts
Review of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
January 20, 2017
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The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2007 (the Code) is Australia’s
Sage Methods Minute. January Spotlight: Research Ethics
February 26, 2019
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January’s Methods Minutes, a monthly newsletter produced by Sage Publishing, is a special issue
Proportional processes can sometimes be the answer to a few (apparently competing) problems
July 23, 2019
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But they shouldn’t equate to abridged consideration Dr Gary Allen | AHRECS senior consultant |
A Note on the Importance of Sensitising the Novice Researcher to the Realities of Ethics in Practice
April 21, 2016
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Discussions of research ethics have begun to centre increasingly on how research guidelines translate