Ethical principles of the scientific researcher: state of the art and updates

Abstract

The ethical principles of the scientific researcher are fundamental to ensuring the integrity, transparency, and reliability of scientific research results. The current state of the art in ethics in scientific research involves a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring that research is conducted fairly, transparently, and with respect for human and animal rights. Among the most important ethical principles for the scientific researcher are respect for the autonomy and privacy of research participants, ensuring benefits and minimizing risks for participants, honesty in disclosing results, social and environmental responsibility, and respect for animal rights. In recent years, the ethical debate surrounding scientific research has intensified due to technological advances that present new ethical challenges, such as genetic manipulation, artificial intelligence, and data privacy. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought important ethical issues to light, such as conducting research quickly in the midst of a public health emergency. We envision three other fundamental pillars related to the moment following the completion of scientific research, namely the definition of authorship of the scientific article, the choice of the scientific journal to which the article will be submitted for publication, and finally, the authors need to disseminate their results to society. Faced with these challenges, it is necessary for researchers to always be attentive to the ethical principles that govern scientific research and to be able to apply them consciously and responsibly in their research.