Ethical Guidance Research Articles

Ethics in social listening in infodemic management in health emergencies

Abstract Issue During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent outbreaks, health organizations have increased the use of social listening to inform infodemic management and outbreak response activities. This demonstrated the need to provide ethical guidance to organizations, and individuals engaging in social listening practices before, during and after public health emergencies, whilst protecting human rights. Description of the problem Social listening as a public health activity draws on analysis of conversations in social media, internet platforms, and feedback from geographically localized communities. Infodemic insights are generated rapidly, to support agile action by health organizations that improves outbreak response, health information delivery, community engagement, or reduction of unintended harm experiences by communities. Social listening involves use of social media and internet trace data, which were traditionally not used in public health for understanding community expressions, WHO convened a panel of experts to develop a framework on ethical considerations for social listening in infodemic management to provide recommendations for health authorities and researchers on practical tools that support setting up new data analysis and use of insights hereto not used in routine. Results The guidance framework has been structured into segments that vary from ethical principles and challenges in social listening and generation of infodemic insights, alignment with human rights, substantive principles, procedural principles, and practical guidance for translating these principles into real-world practice. Lessons This guidance aims to illuminate the intricate ethical dimensions of social listening and stress the urgent need for ethical guidance in this realm. The framework is a comprehensive inquiry of the ethical scope in social listening, providing valuable insights, practical guidance, and case studies to enhance understanding of this critical global health issue. Key messages • While essential, social listening and infodemic insights come with ethical risks, including potential harm to populations in vulnerable situations, erosion of trust, and misuse of data. • This ethical framework will govern social listening practices and ensure responsible and ethical social listening.

Prevention of Trafficking in Organs, Tissues, and Cells.

Trafficking in human organs, cells, and tissues has long been a source of concern for health authorities and professionals, and several international ethical guidance documents and national laws have affirmed the prohibition of trade in these substances of human origin (SoHOs). However, despite considerable attention to the issue of organ trafficking, this remains a substantial and widespread problem internationally. In contrast, trafficking in cells, tissues, and medical products derived from SoHOs has received comparatively little attention, and the extent and nature of such trafficking remain largely unknown. Consequently, as part of the 2023 Global Summit on Convergence in Transplantation held in Santander, Spain, an ethics working group was assigned the task of formulating actionable recommendations to support the prevention of trafficking in all SoHOs. In reporting on this work, we review factors that may influence the persistent trafficking of SoHOs, explore the potential difficulties associated with the collection and reporting of data about suspected trafficking activities, and argue that more practical and consistent guidance, training, and regulatory frameworks are needed internationally to support effective reporting, sharing of data, and collaborative responses to suspected trafficking cases. We also discuss the importance of psychosocial evaluation of living donors as a strategy to detect and prevent organ trafficking and strive to advance the implementation of this well-established recommendation by outlining minimum standards for psychosocial evaluation of living donors.

Future-Proofing Research Ethics—Key Revisions of the Declaration of Helsinki 2024

This Viewpoint discusses key revisions of the Declaration of Helsinki 2024 in the context of internationally accepted ethical guidance for human research.

Ethics in humanitarian settings-relevance and consequences for dialysis and kidney care.

With the increasing frequency and severity of disasters and the increasing number of patients living with kidney disease, on dialysis and with transplants around the world, the need for kidney care in humanitarian settings is increasing. Almost all humanitarian emergencies pose a threat to kidney health because all treatments are highly susceptible to interruption, and interruption can be deadly. Providing support for people requiring dialysis in humanitarian settings can be complex and is associated with many trade-offs. The global kidney care community must become familiar with the ethics, principles and duties essential to meeting the overarching goals of ethical and effective disaster relief. Ethics principles and values must be considered on the individual, public health and global levels. The wellbeing of a single patient must be considered in the context of the competing needs of many others, and optimal treatment may not be possible due to resource constraints. Public health ethics principles, including considerations of triage and resource allocation, maximization of benefit and feasibility, often become directly relevant at the bedside. Individuals delivering humanitarian relief must be well trained, competent, respectful and professional, while involved organizations need to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards. There may be dissonance between ethical guidance and practical realities in humanitarian settings, which for inexperienced individuals may present significant challenges. Sustaining dialysis care in emergencies brings these issues starkly to the fore. Preparedness for dialysis in emergencies is an ethical imperative that mandates multisectoral stakeholder engagement and action, development of surge response plans, clinical and ethics guidance, and transparent priority setting. This manuscript outlines common ethics challenges and considerations that apply in all humanitarian actions, and illustrates their relevance to kidney care as a whole, using examples of how these may apply to dialysis and kidney disaster relief efforts in humanitarian settings.

Private commercial companies sharing health-relevant consumer data with health researchers in sub-Saharan Africa: an ethical exploration

ABSTRACT Sharing large digital-first datasets, including for purposes for which they were not originally intended, is a hallmark of the “big data revolution”. Through their routine operations, private commercial companies collect massive amounts of diverse data from their customers, some of which may interest those working in the public sector, such as health researchers. Researchers and government agencies worldwide have been increasingly using data from commercial entities (such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Twitter/X and Amazon, among others) to generate health-related insights. This article explores ethical issues raised by the practice of commercial companies sharing consumer data with third parties for the purposes of promoting health in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) context. First, as an illustrative example, it examines some of the ways telecommunication (telecom) companies in SSA shared mobility data from cellphone users with public health researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, it examines a recent debate about the ethical responsibilities of companies that collect, process and share user-generated data, drawing implications for the SSA context. Finally, since this is a relatively understudied subject, we point out some areas where future conceptual and empirical work could contribute to the development of relevant ethics guidance and regulatory governance in SSA.

The Prophet Muhammad

Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a unique model for spiritual, moral, and ethical guidance. And as the final prophet of Islam, his teachings (in both the Quran and Hadith) remain a significant influence in the lives of over a billion Muslims globally. The major features of his life were described in some detail, beginning with the years he spent in Mecca, wrestling with the revelations that came to him; his migration to Medina and subsequent role as the leader of a nascent society, founded on principles of social justice; and culminating in his final sermon that enjoined unity among citizens irrespective of their tribe, race or colour. Moreover, the legacy of the Prophet in modern times provides framework for tackling pressing contemporary challenges of social Justice, diplomacy and environmental protection. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are still used as guidance for everyday personal behavior and collective prosperity.

Private Equity Acquisition of Physician Practices—Looking for Ethical Guidance From Professional Societies

Private Equity Acquisition of Physician Practices—Looking for Ethical Guidance From Professional Societies

Natural Resource Management According To The Quran From The Perspective Of Environmental Issues (Al Misbah Interpretation Study)

This study analyzes the management of natural resources (SDA) according to the Qur'an from the perspective of environmental issues, by referring to Tafsir Al-Misbah by M. Quraish Shihab. Islam views humans as caliphs on earth, who are responsible for maintaining and preserving nature. The principles of justice, balance, and sustainability are the main foundations in the utilization of natural resources. The prohibition against environmental damage and waste of resources is very relevant to modern environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. This study highlights the importance of wise water management, preservation of flora and fauna, and environmental education as part of the responsibility of mankind. Tafsir Al-Misbah emphasizes that the use of natural resources must be carried out fairly and in balance to ensure the sustainability of nature for future generations. The research method used is a descriptive analytical library study with primary data sourced from the verses of the Qur'an in Tafsir Al-Misbah by M. Quraish Shihab. The research concludes that Islamic teachings on natural resource management, as outlined in Tafsir Al-Misbah, provide strong moral and ethical guidance for addressing current environmental issues. By emphasizing the principles of justice and balance, these teachings support global efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and long-term well-being.

Governing new technologies that stop biological time: Preparing for prolonged biopreservation of human organs in transplantation

Time limits on organ viability from retrieval to implantation shape the US system for human organ transplantation. Preclinical research has demonstrated that emerging biopreservation technologies can prolong organ viability, perhaps indefinitely. These technologies could transform transplantation into a scheduled procedure without geographic or time constraints, permitting organ assessment and potential preconditioning of the recipients. However, the safety and efficacy of advanced biopreservation with prolonged storage of vascularized organs followed by reanimation will require new regulatory oversight, as clinicians and transplant centers are not trained in the engineering techniques involved or equipped to assess the manipulated organs. Although the Food and Drug Administration is best situated to provide that process oversight, the agency has until now declined to oversee organ quality and has excluded vascularized organs from the oversight framework of human cells, tissues, and cellular-based and tissue-based products. Integration of advanced biopreservation technologies will require new facilities for organ preservation, storage, and reanimation plus ethical guidance on immediate organ use versus preservation, national allocation, and governance of centralized organ banks. Realization of the long-term benefit of advanced biopreservation requires anticipation of the necessary legal and ethical oversight tools and that process should begin now.

Systematic scoping review of cluster randomised trials conducted exclusively in low-income and middle-income countries between 2017 and 2022

ObjectiveCluster randomised trials (CRTs) are used for evaluating health-related interventions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) but raise complex ethical issues. To inform the development of future ethics guidance, we...

Ethical considerations in lung re-transplantation.

Patients undergoing re-transplantation constitute a growing proportion of annual lung transplants. It is necessary to consider ethical considerations of re-transplantation in parallel with clinical progress. Most clinical data demonstrate patients undergoing re-transplantation have worse survival outcomes; however, there is limited discussion of the ethical principles surrounding re-transplantation. Ethical guidance in re-transplantation trails clinical advancement. The four-box model offers a valuable framework for assessing the ethical considerations in re-transplantation. This includes an analysis of medical indications, patient preferences, quality-of-life and contextual factors to support the ethical use of scarce donor lungs.

Analysis of Hadiths on Altruism Motivation

The study of altruism within religious teachings, particularly Hadiths, reveals significant insights into the motivational roots of selflessness. This paper explores the Hadiths related to altruism, emphasizing their role in promoting social cohesion and moral development within Islamic teachings. It underscores the ethical guidance provided by the Hadiths, highlighting their practical applications in fostering altruistic behavior. Previous research has established the foundational role of Hadiths in shaping ethical conduct among Muslims. This study addresses the gap in understanding the specific motivational mechanisms through which these teachings inspire altruism by conducting a comprehensive textual analysis. The research identifies key themes and motivational triggers in the Hadiths, employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates theology, psychology, and sociology. By elucidating these motivational aspects, the study offers valuable guidance for religious educators, community leaders, and policymakers in promoting altruistic values and behaviors. Ultimately, the exploration of Hadiths on altruism contributes to the ongoing discourse on how religious traditions can inspire and sustain altruistic behavior in the modern world.

Adolescent offenders' experiences of father involvement in a South African context

AbstractObjectiveThe study's aim was to explore and describe adolescent offenders' experiences of their fathers' involvement before and during their own incarceration in a South African context.BackgroundResearch on father involvement is focused predominantly on adult offenders' experiences of father involvement without emphasis on adolescents' experiences regarding father involvement, including in a South African context.MethodsA qualitative explorative‐descriptive research design was employed. A nonprobability, purposive sampling technique was used, and the sample size was determined through data saturation. The sample included nine male adolescents between the ages of 17 and 19 years from a correctional center in Pretoria, South Africa. Semistructured individual interviews and drawings made by participants were used as the data collection methods and data were analyzed thematically.ResultsTwo main themes with subthemes were identified: Experiences of father absence before and/or during incarceration and desires for and suggestions to improve father involvement.ConclusionThe findings are primarily indicative of the general lack of father involvement and fatherly support experienced by participants.ImplicationsThe findings highlight the need for adolescent offenders to have access to counseling or therapy and intervention programs suitable for juvenile correctional centers focusing specifically on providing young, incarcerated, male adolescents with paternal role models that can help foster a sense of ethical and moral guidance and provision of different forms of support. Father intervention programs including men's talks, motivational speaking, and psychoeducational programs to advise fathers on how to be more involved in their children's lives are recommended.

The Effect of Al-Qur'an Recitation as Systematic Audio Therapy on Patients with Neurodegenerative Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP): A Review

Al-Quran, as the holy book in the Islamic religion, is not only a spiritual guide but also has a significant psychological impact on the individuals who read it. The Koran offers ethical and moral guidance and covers profound psychological aspects. Its influence is not only limited to religious aspects but also deepens humans' understanding of themselves and their environment. Neurodegenerative disorder refers to a process or condition where nerve cells in the central nervous system (i.e., brain and spinal cord) experience progressive damage or death. The damage leads to decreased cognitive function, behavioral changes, and motor disorders. The present study aims to provide an overview of the effect of listening to Al-Quran recitation as an intervention on neurodegenerative progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) subjects. The current research used a literature review approach by collecting credible sources in books, scientific articles, documents, and previous research. The findings of this study illustrate that systematic Al-Quran intervention resulted in positive psychological and physiological benefits, especially on the brain's nerves. Thus, frequent, and further medical assistance is imperative for patients with PSP.

Research with Refugee Populations in North America: Applying the NIH Guiding Principles for Ethical Research

ABSTRACTThis article examines the ethics of research design and the initiation of a study (e.g., recruitment of participants) involving refugee participants. We aim to equip investigators and members of IRBs with a set of ethical considerations and pragmatic recommendations to address challenges in refugee‐focused research as it is developed and prepared for IRB review. We discuss challenges including how refugees are being defined and identified; their vulnerabilities before, during, and following resettlement that impacts their research participation; recruitment; consent practices including assent and unaccompanied minors; and conflicts of interest. Ethical guidance and regulatory oversight provided by international bodies, federal governments, and IRBs are important for enforcing the protection of participants. We describe the need for additional ethical guidance and awareness, if not special protections for refugee populations as guided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guiding Principles for Ethical Research.

Does Ethical Guidance Improve the Performance of Organizations? Reflections From Tanzanian Health Centers

Does Ethical Guidance Improve the Performance of Organizations? Reflections From Tanzanian Health Centers

Developing guidelines for ethical response to infectious disease outbreaks in Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: Ethical considerations are important in pandemic preparedness and response, however, there is a noticeable scarcity of ethical codes that are tailored to disease outbreaks and health emergencies. Aim: To document the development of guidelines for ethical management of infectious disease outbreaks in Islamic Republic of Iran, as a model for low- and middle-income countries. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic scoping review on PubMed and Google Scholar for drafting the guidelines for ethical management of infectious disease outbreaks in Islamic Republic of Iran. The draft was discussed and revised following consultations with different groups of experts and the Medical Ethics Council of the Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences. Results: The joint assembly of the National Clinical Ethics Committee and the Supreme Council of Medical Ethics endorsed and introduced the revised document as official guidelines for ethical response to infectious disease outbreaks in Islamic Republic of Iran. The guidelines were based on a set of core values and principles: human dignity, liberty, maximizing benefits and minimizing risks, and justice and transparency. In 3 distinct sections, the document provides ethical guidance for healthcare system management and leadership; provision of health services; and for education, research and use of technology during health emergencies. Conclusion: The guidelines have been very useful in responding ethically to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be a need to adapt some of the recommendations for optimum benefits in specific contexts. It is necessary to create awareness of the existence of the document and educate healthcare professionals about its importance so they can apply the recommendations in their practice.

How Ethical is Earnings Management? Evidence from an Emerging Economy

ABSTRACT Building upon Role Theory, Agency Theory, and Experiential Learning Theory, this study explores the ethical viewpoints of earnings management (EM) across various professional roles within the accounting and finance profession in Turkey. Employing survey methodology and in-depth interviews, data were collected from educators, students, accountants, and auditors to provide insights into the ethics of EM, enhancing understanding and informing more ethically grounded practices within accounting and finance. This study identifies not only traditional opportunistic and informative forms of EM but also unveils strategic and deceptive dimensions, reflecting diverse ethical interpretations across professional roles. It posits that perceptions of EM's ethicality differ among stakeholder groups, influenced by professional roles and experience. Findings reveal that students have more lenient views due to limited experience, whereas auditors and accountants exhibit stricter stances, shaped by practical exposure. Educators influence these perceptions, highlighting the need for enhanced ethical guidance in education and practice.

Ethical and Equity Guidance for Transplant Programs Considering Thoracoabdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion (TA-NRP) for Procurement of Hearts

Donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) is an accepted practice in the United States, but heart procurement under these circumstances has been debated. Although the practice is experiencing a resurgence due to the recently completed trials using ex vivo perfusion systems, interest in thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP), wherein the organs are reanimated in situ prior to procurement, has raised many ethical questions. We outline practical, ethical, and equity considerations to ensure transplant programs make well-informed decisions about TA-NRP. We present a multidisciplinary analysis of the relevant ethical issues arising from DCDD-NRP heart procurement, including application of the Dead Donor Rule and the Uniform Definition of Death Act, and provide recommendations to facilitate ethical analysis and input from all interested parties. We also recommend informed consent, as distinct from typical “authorization,” for cadaveric organ donation using TA-NRP.

Oversight of Dual-Use Research: What Role for Ethics Committees?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Guidance Framework for the Responsible Use of the Life Sciences addresses the governance of biorisks, including dual-use research, for countries. It emphasizes engaging multisectoral stakeholders such as governments, scientific bodies, health and research institutes, standard-setting organizations, funding bodies, and others. Ethics constitutes a key component of the framework. Given the high social impact of such research and the importance of trust, risk, and benefit, national ethics committees could make a valuable contribution by providing ethical guidance in the decisionmaking process. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of national ethics committees in the context of governance and oversight of dual-use research at the national level. We conducted a landscape analysis of the activities of ethics committees in dual-use research oversight. We also searched the WHO database on National Ethics Committees for publications related to dual-use research and/or misuse of life sciences research and gathered additional documentation from national ethics committees websites and through author contacts. Results showed that in the context of the wide range of oversight mechanisms for dual-use research in countries, national ethics committees have contributed to guiding policy and assessing dual-use research risks in only a limited number of countries. Recommendations from those countries include establishing a multistakeholder, coordinated oversight mechanism at the country level; strengthening international linkages to guide, harmonize, and reinforce national and international efforts; and involving ethics committees as an expert resource in the governance and oversight process.