Ethical Considerations in Research With Socially Identifiable Populations

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) Vol. 113; no. 1; pp. 148 - 151
• Main Authors: Grossman, David C, Agarwal, Indu, Biggs, Vincent M, Brenneman, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elk Grove Village, IL Am Acad Pediatrics 01-01-2004; American Academy of Pediatrics
• Subjects: Bioethical Issues; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic - ethics; Community Health Services - ethics; Community Participation; Ethics Committees, Research; Ethnic Groups; General aspects; Humans; Indians, North American; Informed Consent; Medical ethics; Medical sciences; Pediatrics; Risk assessment; Social impact; United States; Human; Ethics; Pediatrics; Research; Public health
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.113.1.148

Community-based research raises ethical issues not normally encountered in research conducted in academic settings. In particular, conventional risk-benefits assessments frequently fail to recognize harms that can occur in socially identifiable populations as a result of research participation. Furthermore, many such communities require more stringent measures of beneficence that must be applied directly to the participating communities. In this statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics sets forth recommendations for minimizing harms that may result from community-based research by emphasizing community involvement in the research process.