We invite you to read our new article published in Accountability in Research. Our aim was to explore the perspective of researchers at different stages of academic careers and gain insight into their approach to ethics in biotechnologies in the early stage of development.

Abstract

In recent years there have been calls to improve ethics in preclinical research. Promoting ethics in preclinical research should consider the perspectives of scientists. Our study aims to explore researchers’ perspectives on ethics in the preclinical phase. Using interviews and focus groups, we collected views on ethical issues in preclinical research from experienced (n = 11) and early-stage researchers (ESRs) (n = 14) working in a gene therapy and regenerative medicine consortium. A recurring theme among ESRs was the impact of health-related preclinical research on climate change. They highlighted the importance of strengthening ethics in relations within the scientific community. Experienced researchers were focused on technicalities of methods used in preclinical research. They stressed the need for more safeguards to protect the sensitive personal data they work with. Both groups drew attention to the importance of the social context of research and its social impact. They agreed that it is important to be socially responsible – to be aware of and be sensitive to the needs and views of society. This study helps to identify key ethical challenges and, when combined with more data, can ultimately lead to informed and evidence-based improvements to existing regulations.

Paola Buedo, Eugenia Prieto, Jolanta Perek-Białas, Idalina Odziemczyk-Stawarz & Marcin Waligora (2024) 

More ethics in the laboratory, please! Scientists’ perspectives on ethics in the preclinical phase

Accountability in Research