What About Ethics?
November 18, 2009
A group of doctors, medical ethicists, and others sent NIH director Francis Collins a letter yesterday urging the NIH "to fund studies on medical ethics, conflicts of interest in medicine and research, and prescribing behavior." The 96 authors add that moving research funded by NIH "into clinical practice is strongly affected by the complex web of relationships that exists among industry, academicians, medical educators and clinicians." The letter was organized by PharmedOut, an independent project run by Georgetown University's Adriane Fugh-Berman and she told ScienceInsider that many ethics research projects aren't funded by NIH. "I think that NIH has thought that it doesn't comes under their domain, and the trouble is that it doesn't come under anybody's domain," she says.
The Hastings Center's Thomas Murray, who did not sign the letter, says that Collins may consider the request. "The letter is actually quite gentle and modest in what it requests," he says to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
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Having worked at NIH before, I am astounded by the fact that NIH does not fund studies on medical ethics. The reason for this shock is due to differing reasons: the first being that NIH places such a strong emphasis on ethical research. While working there, we were required to take many tests to demonstrate our knowledge on handling animals and laboratory materials. We were also required to understand and research how the MSDS warnings work. However, what was emphasized to a great length was medical ethics. The research performed by each individual had to conform to specific ethical codes and the supervisors made sure that no one was acting immorally with regards to their medical research.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, another reason I am astounded by the fact is that medical ethics is such an integral part of research that it seems odd that NIH would not fund such research. One of the goals of research is to benefit the lives of humans by exploring ways to make living better and easier. The goals of medical research and medical practice is to better the lives of individuals; however, if the core foundation of this research is altered, then the research would be for naught. That is why it is important to research medical ethics: to make sure that everyone is researching for the right purpose and no one is performing medical procedures for reasons that may be less than beneficial. If these rules are adhered to, beneficience will increase in the world, and we would be able to prevent maleficience.
The details of the article indicate a mighty leap forward in the progress of science. Since the letter is "quite gentle and modest in what it requests," it can set a foundation for future grants and requests for funding for medical ethic research from the NIH. I believe that the article is demonstrating that we are taking the initiative, the first few steps toward recognizing the importance of medical ethics and its role in not only philosophy, but in medicine, research, furthering the human race as well.
~Tully Cheng
My reaction to this post was similar to Tully’s in that it is hard for me to believe that NIH does not already fund medical ethics research. For an institution that puts so much emphasis on conducting research in an ethical manner, it seems quite hypocritical for them not to practice what they preach.
ReplyDeleteSeeing that researchers must pass a test based on the ethics of research before they can get NIH funding, I think it is necessary for NIH to delve further into the ethics of each of the studies they are funding. What are the motives of the study? Who is benefiting most from the study? Are their important conflicts of interest amongst the researcher and others involved? All of the questions should be answered by NIH before a study can be approved.
NIH is an establishment focused on benefiting others and advancing the medical field through research. Therefore it is their duty to ensure that the research which is taking place is being performed in an ethical manner. By taking into consideration the “modest requests” of this group of professionals, NIH would be strengthening their position in the field of medical research, protecting their subjects and promoting the rights of others.
~Jenna Freitas
I have to admit I am not entirely surprised that NIH does not fund medical ethics experiments. Although it is extremely unfortunate, I think many times the importance of understanding ethics in medicine is overlooked. Understandably, it is easy to excited about new research and ideas. However, sometimes the push for new information can leave ethics on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, it is saddening the NIH has not taken more of a vested interest in the field of medical ethics. I think it is extremely important that the NIH take a more invested approach to medical ethics. Medical ethics helps us to understand treatment and medicine in a way that is different and equally applicable as the physical benefits or risks of a particular procedure, drug, ect. Medical ethics help us to make difficult decisions in a field where many would like to be able to help everyone.
Overall, I profoundly hope that the NIH will understand and recognize the importance of medical ethics and begin to provide funding to an area that has the potential to help and maybe even change the world of medicine and public health as we know it.
I am also not surprised that the NIH does not fund medical ethics projects. However, I don't think that there is a need for such projects from the NIH. The NIH already has clear ethical guidelines laid out within the multitude of training programs they require researchers to complete. Additionally, there is a sub-organization within the NIH Clinical Center (a large research hospital in Bethesda, MD) that conducts research in a variety of medical ethics topics. There are grants available for the completion of bioethics research in the hospital and for external projects. The full list of current projects can be found at bioethics.nih.gov (click on the "Research" tab). There is also a large list of ethics committees in organizations like the FDA, the Office of Human Subjects Research (OHSR), the Office of Science Policy (OSP), etc. that collaborate with the NIH and pursue projects in medical ethics.
ReplyDeleteI agree that medical ethics should be thoroughly considered when planning and completing research projects. However, it just seems unnecessary for the NIH to complete these projects when there are so many other collaborating groups that complete them with the NIH's blessing.
I am astounded by the fact that NIH does not fund studies on medical ethics. This is surprising since the NIH places such a strong emphasis on ethical research. As a research assistant I had to go through a NIH training program and pass a test to demonstrate my knowledge on handling animals and laboratory materials. Of all the topics discussed, medical ethics was clearly emphasized the most. The training and test was not just a onetime thing either. Most laboratories have to conform to the NIH regulations at all times, so all laboratory supervisors assure that each individual follows the specific ethical codes to assure they do not lose funding from the NIH or any other organization.
ReplyDeleteIt is also surprising that the NIH does not fund studies on medical ethics because many of the research projects and topics that are funded by the NIH are ethically questionable. Many of them have ethical issues that are still greatly debated. To think they fund research that has ethical issues under debate, it would only makes sense that the NIH would fund research on medical ethics to better understand these ethical issues and act accordingly.
I support the ninety-six member group of doctors, medical ethicists, and others in their pursuit for medical ethic study funding for the NIH. I particularly like the manner in which they went about it, “The letter is actually quite gentle and modest in what it requests”. This sets a solid foundation for the future of medical ethics research and will hopefully be considered in its entirety by the NIH. If this research is funded the outcome could have a great deal of benefits for the NIH and all of the research projects funded under the NIH. With that being said, I do not believe the NIH should have to bear the full responsibility of medical ethics research and the costs associated with it. The NIH already has clear ethical guidelines laid out within the multitude of training programs they require researchers to complete.
-KEENAN
As a few have already stated, I am also surprised that the NIH does not fund medical ethics research studies. I must have assumed that since they place a large emphasis on ethical research they would have established a program regarding medical ethics. Just as we went through the NIH training for class, many jobs have to go through such training. I would imagine that employees in the medical field, especially those working with research and clinical trials, would also have to pass a sort of exam or at least attend a required seminar. I completely support the letter drafted by those 96 individuals pushing to established funding for medical ethics research. Since it is the NIH that focuses better medical research they should be the ones who are ensuring that this medical research is being conducted in a proper manner. The NIH should be open to the idea of providing studies for medical ethics, as it will not only benefit medical research from here on out, but it will also directly benefit their company. Considering their position on research now, I feel the NIH will be open to the research of medical ethics, as they should be. As a society as a whole, our future depends on research studies and medical advancements, but should not be done while violating the rights of others.
ReplyDeleteTorri