Work

Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of Modern Human Remains for Research in South Africa

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Chapter 8 of the South African National Health Act 61 of 2003 (NHA) that deals with the donation of human tissue was promulgated in 2012. The new Act is perceived to impose restrictions on low-risk research involving human remains. This study aimed to identify the issues raised by a research ethics committee (REC) when reviewing protocols where human remains are used as data source. REC minutes from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed, and issues raised by the committee were categorized. In total, 127 protocols submitted to the committee over 6 years involved human remains. Queries relating to science (22.2%) and administration (18.9%) were the most common, whereas queries relating to legal issues constituted only 10.2%. Ethical issues centered on informed consent regarding sensitive topics such as HIV, DNA, and deceased children. The change in legislation did not change the number or type of legal issues identified by the REC.

Source: Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics

DOI: 10.1177/1556264616688973

Authors: N. Briers, J. J. Dempers

Institution: Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Ethics in Clinical Research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center, Office of AIDS Research