Ethical Governance Research Articles

Ethical and Information Governance Considerations for Promoting Digital Social Interventions in Primary Care.

Promoting online peer support beyond the informal sector to statutory health services requires ethical considerations and evidence-based knowledge about its impact on patients, health care professionals, and the wider health care system. Evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions in primary care is sparse, and definitive guidance is lacking on the ethical concerns arising from the use of social media as a means for health-related interventions and research. Existing literature examining ethical issues with digital interventions in health care mainly focuses on apps, electronic health records, wearables, and telephone or video consultations, without necessarily covering digital social interventions, and does not always account for primary care settings specifically. Here we address the ethical and information governance aspects of undertaking research on the promotion of online peer support to patients by primary care clinicians, related to medical and public health ethics.

Emerging Frontiers of Public Safety: Synergizing AI and Bioengineering for Crime Prevention

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and biological engineering technology (BET) can potentially revolutionize public safety efforts. However, the responsible use of these technologies requires crucial considerations. This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-method to examine the governance mechanisms apropos AI and BET in the context of crime prevention in the Philippines. It identifies several key components that contribute to establishing governance mechanisms, including multisectoral agencies, legislative initiatives, and regulatory frameworks. The study also identifies a 3-factor model for the governance convergence of AI and BET in public safety. These factors include empowerment and sufficiency, ethical considerations, and laws and regulations. The findings underscore the notable implications of integrating AI and BET into public safety efforts, such as improving surveillance systems, proactively preventing public health crises, and optimizing emergency response capabilities. However, ethical considerations and regulatory guidelines must be in place to address privacy concerns and mitigate potential risks associated with these technologies. The convergence of AI and BET also presents opportunities for sustainability. Nevertheless, concerns arise regarding its improper utilization. Based on the study's findings, policy recommendations are directed at ethical considerations, governance and regulation, and sustainability. These policy actions aim to address the opportunities and challenges associated with the convergence of AI and BET in public safety, ensuring responsible and beneficial use within the framework of Public Safety 4.0.

Disrupting the infectious disease ecosystem in the digital precision health era innovations and converging emerging technologies.

This commentary explores the convergence of precision health and evolving technologies, including the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in infectious diseases (ID) and microbiology. We discuss their disruptive impact on the ID ecosystem and examine the transformative potential of frontier technologies in precision health, public health, and global health when deployed with robust ethical and data governance guardrails in place.

Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: Design of AI Governance Framework

This article presents the various challenges in the current system of AI governance and the correlation between data, algorithm, technology, governance, and geopolitics surrounding its successful implementation. The focal point of the article is the Adaptive-Hybrid AI Governance framework based on technical, ethical, and societal regulatory mechanisms that models trustworthy AI and the risks associated with it. The article highlights the need for trustworthy AI and how major countries are shaping their AI regulatory mechanisms. It presents a case study on AI governance in defence that elucidates ethical AI governance through various use cases.

Exploring the Multidimensional Landscape of Sustainable Finance: A Thematic Analysis Approach

This study aims to comprehensively explore the multidimensional landscape of sustainable finance through a thematic analysis approach. With a dataset of 138 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, the study employs VOSviewer for co-word analysis, revealing four interconnected thematic clusters. These clusters, representing economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions, provide a structured framework that underscores the intricate relationships within sustainable finance. The findings illuminate the interplay between these dimensions, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to navigate the complex field of sustainable finance and promote informed decision-making. The implications of this study extend to fostering more holistic financial practices that consider economic growth, environmental preservation, social equity, and ethical governance in tandem, thereby contributing to a more responsible and inclusive financial future.

‘Crisis’, control and circulation: Biometric surveillance in the policing of the ‘crimmigrant other’

Automated facial recognition, the use of dactyloscopic data and advanced forensic DNA analyses are becoming dominant technological surveillance means for ‘crimmigration’ control. ‘Crimmigration’ describes the increasing criminalisation of migration, based on a perceived ‘crisis’ of mass migration and its assumed negative impact on national stability and welfare, materialising in overlapping crime and migration control regimes. We analyse the policing of migration through biometric technologies as the reproduction of social practices of security against crime. By combining concepts of social practices and ethical regimes, we suggest that biometric ethical regimes are constituted by social practices working towards legitimising the use of biomaterials and biodata. This analytical synthesis supports us in exploring how biometric technologies deployed in the policing of crime circulate into the policing of migration and vice versa. First, technologies as materials (DNA, fingerprints, facial images, analysis kits, databases, etc.) are inscribed with assumptions about validating identity and suspicion, and are increasingly made accessible as data across policy domains. Second, forensic competence moves in abstracted forms of expertise independent of context and ethics of application, creating challenges for reliable and legitimate technology deployment. Third, biometric technologies, often portrayed as reliable, useful, accurate policing tools, travel from crime into migration control with meanings that construct generalised criminal suspicion of migrants. To evidence the complexity and difficulty of achieving accountability and responsibility for the ethical governance of biometric technologies in policing, we trace how the goals, risks, benefits and values of biometric technologies are framed, and how the legitimacy of their deployment in policing of migration is constructed and negotiated.

Directions of improving the corporate management of agricultural enterprises based on sustainable development

The article is devoted to substantiating the importance of sustainable development for corporate management of agricultural enterprises. It is shown that the principles of sustainable development of the agricultural sector are essential for modern agricultural holdings and the state. The peculiarities of implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) components into the corporate strategies of agricultural enterprises are revealed. It is shown that ESG investments contribute to the growth of long-term investment attractiveness and market capitalization. Research on investment decisions based on environmental, social, and governance criteria is revealed. The paper shows that companies with high ESG ratings and low ESG risks attract more investment. Based on a critical analysis of scientific sources, it has been proven that socially responsible companies have higher growth rates in the share price on the stock exchanges and market value. ESG investments in corporations create additional value and increase the value of intangible assets, particularly business reputation, brand, and human capital. The role of reputation management, corporate image, and business reputation in the growth of the market capitalization of a corporate agricultural enterprise is revealed. It is shown that high requirements for non-financial reporting and disclosure of activities in ESG areas require issuers to form an open and transparent system of communications with investors and stakeholders and to constantly work on reputation compliance with the principles and ethics of corporate governance. It was outlined that Ukrainian agricultural enterprises should integrate the principles of sustainable development into their corporate strategies, work on improving corporate governance, and implement successful reputation management experience for stable growth of market capitalization and business. Public agricultural enterprises must implement ESG principles in the corporate governance system, join global initiatives and sustainable development ratings, report on the results of activities according to international standards, and maintain an appropriate level of media activity and communications with key stakeholders. Keywords: sustainable development, corporate governance, agricultural sector, corporate agricultural enterprises, ESG principles.

Analysis of ethics dumping and proposed solutions in the field of biomedical research in China.

As international academic exchanges and cooperation deepen, China has actively engaged in international biomedical research collaboration and achieved significant success. However, these accomplishments have been accompanied by ethical controversies and issues, with ethics dumping being a recurrently discussed focus among scholars. This paper reviews ethics dumping incidents in China's biomedical research field and analyzes the underlying causes to answer why China is often susceptible to ethics dumping. We argue that the primary reasons include weak ethical awareness among some researchers, an oversimplified research evaluation system, gaps in relevant ethics governance and oversight mechanisms, and limited capabilities of certain ethics committees. To address these issues, we propose five ethics governance recommendations: establishing refined ethics committees at various levels and types; advancing theoretical and practical research on science and technology ethics governance; strengthening legislation and regulation related to emerging science and technology; emphasizing self-regulation and capacity building of research institutions; and providing special protection and healthcare for victims of ethics dumping. The aim is to enhance China's research supervision system and prevent similar ethics dumping incidents from recurring.

Al-Ghazali in the Political Ethics and Governance: An Analytical Studies on Al-Tibbr al-Masbūk fī Naṣīḥah al-Mulk

This article discusses Imam Al-Ghazali’s views on political ethics and governance. This type of research is literature using analytical methods. The primary source used by researchers is one of Imam Al-Ghazali’s works, namely “Al-Tibbr al-Masbūk fī Naṣīḥah al-Mulk” and several other relevant works. This article answers the problem when in the 16th century, there was a separation between ethics and politics in the West which was pioneered by an Italian statesman named Niccolo Machiavelli which resulted in that the mindset of the government was based on its acceptance of the political system of its time. This discussion becomes important as a response to debates and dialectics about the importance of ethics in politics. This study concludes that Al-Ghazali proposed that the government system be made up of a board of directors in carrying out every government program in order to create productivity and effectiveness in running the government. The Diwan should have three institutions in the country: the deliberative council, the judiciary and the ministerial body. In addition, ethics needs to be included in the political system, this is a critique of scholars who reject ethical participation in politics. Al-Ghazali advised the rulers about the importance of ethics in politics and government. It is formulated in seven principles namely fairness, competence, humility, honesty, responsiveness, sincerity, and gentleness.

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance's Influence on the Sustainability of Family Businesses with Company Size as an Intervening Variable

The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of business ethics and corporate governance on the sustainability of family businesses, with company size as a mediating variable. The size of the company is a parameter for assessing and determining the scale of the enterprise. The population in this study consisted of 38 companies that were members of the West Java Jamu Entrepreneurs Association. The determination of the number of samples used purposive sampling with criteria in the form of a family business, so that the sample used was 12 family business companies with 48 respondents. Data collection techniques are carried out by using several instruments, namely questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. According to the findings of this study, business ethics has a positive impact on the long-term viability of a family business. Good corporate governance positively affects the sustainability of the family business. Meanwhile, the size of the company also has a positive effect on the sustainability of the family business. The size of the company turns out to be able to mediate relationships in the mediation variable; the size of the company is able to influence business ethics on the sustainability of the family business, while the mediation variable shows the size of the company is able to also influence Good corporate governance is important for the sustainability of the family business. The findings of this study provide useful information for herbal medicine company owners related to the influence of the variables studied. These findings are useful for employers to better understand the dynamics of family business sustainability in promoting business ethics, good governance, and company size.

Book review: Embodied Narratives: Protecting Identity Interests through Ethical Governance of Bioinformation

Book review: Embodied Narratives: Protecting Identity Interests through Ethical Governance of Bioinformation

Exploration of Ethical Considerations and Governance Mechanisms in Clinical Trials base on COVID-19

Exploration of Ethical Considerations and Governance Mechanisms in Clinical Trials base on COVID-19

The Different Faces of AI Ethics Across the World: A Principle-to-Practice Gap Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our daily life with many applications in healthcare, space exploration, banking and finance. This rapid progress in AI has brought increasing attention to the potential impacts of AI technologies on society, with ethically questionable consequences. In recent years, several ethical principles have been released by governments, national and international organisations. These principles outline high-level precepts to guide the ethical development, deployment, and governance of AI. However, the abstract nature, diversity, and context-dependency of these principles make them difficult to implement and operationalize, resulting in gaps between principles and their execution. Most recent work analysed and summarized existing AI principles and guidelines but did not provide findings on principle-to-practice gaps nor how to mitigate them. These findings are particularly important to ensure that AI practical guidances are aligned with ethical principles and values. In this paper, we provide a contextual and global evaluation of current ethical AI principles for all continents, with the aim to identify potential principle characteristics tailored to specific countries or applicable across countries. Next, we analyze the current level of AI readiness and current practical guidances of ethical AI principles in different countries, to identify gaps in the practical guidance of AI principles and their causes. Finally, we propose recommendations to mitigate the principle-to-practice gaps.

Situation analysis of research ethics governance in Pakistan.

Mapping of ethical governance structures is very useful in identifying strengths and weaknesses in order to uphold integrity and ensure standardization. However, reliable countrywide data about ethical review committees (ERCs) is unavailable in Pakistan. To evaluate the research ethics governance mechanisms at national level and at key healthcare institutions in Pakistan. This pilot mapping exercise used a mixed-methods approach, involving a cross-sectional survey of 19 key healthcare research institutions, and structured in-depth interviews with the chairs of the National Bioethics Committee and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Eighteen institutions responded to the ethics mapping survey. Twelve public sector ERCs had a permanent structure and 17 had formal terms of reference. Seven ERCs claimed accreditation, although no central accreditation agency exists in Pakistan. Eight ERCs were chaired by the heads of the institutions. There was no fixed tenure for the heads in 13 committees, and 14 committees allowed multiple terms. Six ERCs had follow-up mechanisms for ethical approvals, and 6 took punitive actions in response to any deviation from an approved protocol, or to a scientific misconduct. Two respondents recalled situations where applicants pressured committee members for favourable approvals. Survey respondents mentioned the lack of central research ethics guidelines as a weakness of the national governance system. Structured interviews revealed the need for formal training of committee members and capacity strengthening, particularly for administrative staff. There is a need to develop guidelines for local ethics governance in Pakistan, and ensure accreditation of ERCs through the National Bioethics Committee to uphold the integrity of the ethics governance structure.

The Role of Sustainable Business Practices in Achieving the SDGS: a Case Study of Rural Agricultural Communities

Villages have a strategic role as the smallest locus of development to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is focused on accelerating the achievement of SDGs by restoring the national economy. Therefore, in accelerating the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), a practical role of sustainable business is needed for agricultural village communities. The method in this study is a qualitative method with an analytical descriptive approach, The data source is Library Research and other supporting literature, associated with phenomena that occur in the past, present and future. The results of this study are 1) The application of sustainable business model practices is one form of commitment of business people who are applied by having ethical governance and always contributing to economic development and not neglecting the quality of life of the workforce, local communities and surrounding communities 2) Obstacles in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in agricultural village communities include lack of effective land, lack of human resources, facilities, and government participation 3) Strategies in the role of agricultural village community development including Streamlining existing land, providing facilities and infrastructure, increasing human resources and optimal government participation

The Role of Religions, Values, Ethics, and Spiritual Responsibility in Environmental Governance and Achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda

Abstract The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 is the only viable framework that exists today providing a plan of action to tackle the complexity of development issues we are facing. One essential element in implementing this agenda is Goal 17, related to partnerships and the role of the whole of society in achieving these goals. Sustainable development is defined as the intersection of economic, social, and environmental sustainability. However, the fourth component of culture and traditional knowledge, while presumably integrated in all goals, has not been fully integrated, presenting a missed opportunity to enhance and strengthen the implementation and achievement of the sustainable development agenda. Religious values and belief systems are considered crucial elements of this cultural approach. Faith values and practices complement the scientific and technological approaches in dealing with the unprecedented environmental challenges of our time. This is especially important due to the commonality of religious values in living in harmony with nature. If seriously considered, adopting religious values leads to a change in individual behaviors and institutional policies that are crucial to reducing our environmental footprint and tackling the triple planetary crisis.

Corporate governance and business ethics: An assessment of challenges and developments

Corporate governance and business ethics: An assessment of challenges and developments

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) are essential in promoting our health and wellbeing.

The history of unethical and inhumane research conducted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since colonisation highlights the critical need for specific Human Research Ethics for research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. The development of Aboriginal Human Research Ethics Committees (AHRECs) has played a vital role in ensuring research is safe and delivered for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a way that protects and promotes their health and wellbeing. However, there remains a lack of appropriate and critical ethical governance for such research in areas without specific Aboriginal HRECs in each jurisdiction. This perspective argues that greater investment in state-based AHRECs and consideration of a national AHREC are essential to ensure the ongoing health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the research process -the ultimate aim of any research that involves them.

Uterus Transplantation as a Surgical Innovation

Uterus transplantation (UTx) research has been introduced in several countries, with trials in Sweden and the United States producing successful outcomes. The growing interest in developing UTx trials in other countries, such as Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, and Australia, raises important questions regarding the ethics of surgical innovation research in the field of UTx. This paper examines the current state of UTx in the context of the surgical innovation paradigm and IDEAL framework and discusses the ethical challenges faced by those considering the introduction of new trials. We argue that UTx remains an experimental procedure at a relatively early stage of the IDEAL framework, especially in the context of de novo trials, where protocols are likely to deviate from those used previously and where researchers are likely to have limited experience of UTx. We conclude that countries considering the introduction of UTx trials should build on the strengths of the reported outcomes to consolidate the evidence base and shed light on the uncertainties of the procedure. Authorities responsible for the ethical governance of UTx trials are advised to draw on the ethical framework used in the oversight of surgical innovation.

P-332 Standard-dose Vitamin D supplementation as an effective and safe non-hormonal treatment for the prevention of uterine fibroid growth in reproductive-age women: A pilot study

Abstract Study question Could low-dose vitamin D supplementation prevent uterine fibroid growth in reproductive-age women with hypovitaminosis D? Summary answer Six-month low-dose Vitamin D supplementation (≈ 1500 IU/day) in patients with hypovitaminosis D significantly decrease uterine fibroid growth compared to patients not receiving supplementation. What is known already Uterine fibroids (UF) are the most common tumor of the reproductive tract, affecting up to 77% of reproductive-age women. Due to the association between hypovitaminosis D and UF, several studies have evaluated the effect of a high Vitamin D (VitD) dose (3500-8500 IU/day) on UF size, proposing VitD supplementation as a therapeutic option. However, the standard dose recommended for VitD deficiency (800-2000 IU/day) has not been assessed. We aimed to evaluate if the restoration of normal serum levels of 25(OH)D by standard VitD dose in patients with UF and hypovitaminosis D can avoid the growth of UF in reproductive-age women. Study design, size, duration Ambispective observational study carried out at La Fe University Hospital. In the study group, patients (n = 6) were prospectively recruited from 2019 to 2022. Clinical data from the control group (n = 14) was collected retrospectively from 2016 to 2018. The study was approved by the autonomous government ethics committee (CAEPO; Spain) (ISS-COL-2028-01). Participants/materials, setting, methods Twenty women under 45 years old with uterine fibroids and hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL] were included. The study group received VitD for 6 months (25000 IU/2 weeks). Study outcomes: UF size determined by ultrasound, serum levels of 25(OH)D, Calcium, AST, ALT, Bilirubin and Creatinine were determined at 0, 3 and 6 months. Data from control group was obtained retrospectively from patients diagnosed with UF and hypovitaminosis D without VitD supplementation. Main results and the role of chance At the beginning of the treatment, no significant differences were found between patients included in the control and VitD group regarding age (40.57 ± 2.76 vs. 38.73 ± 4.92), BMI (23.6 5 ± 2.96 vs. 25.36 ± 4.25), VitD levels (18.57 ± 7.47 vs. 23.37 ± 37.29) and UF size (67.07 ± 20.68 vs. 56.17 ± 12.56). After treatment, VitD levels significantly increased in the study group (23.37 ± 37.29 vs. 37.02 ± 6.35, p = 0.001). Regarding size, the control group showed a significant UF growth of 17.3 ± 14.31% (p = 0.0005) after 6 months, while in patients treated with VitD UF size slightly decreased (-5.84 ± 2.14 %, p = 0.15). In addition, when comparing % of UF growth in both groups at the end of the treatment, UF growth was significantly lower in patients treated with VitD compared to control (-5.84% vs. 17.3%, p = 0.0002). There were no significant changes in serum parameters analyzed in the study group after 6 months of VitD supplementation: Calcium (9.15 vs. 9.20 mg/dL), AST (15.83 vs. 13 U/L), ALT (17.83 vs. 16 U/L), Bilirubin (0.42 vs. 0.48 mg/dL) and Creatinine (0.69 vs. 0.67 mg/dL). Limitations, reasons for caution This is an observational study and thus possible confounders cannot be completely excluded. More data are needed to draw firm conclusions and it will be critical to increase the sample size to check if the results observed in this work remain in the general population. Wider implications of the findings To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of standard VitD dose on UF growth in reproductive-age women with hypovitaminosis D. Our results suggest that low-dose VitD could be a safe non-hormonal therapeutic option in the management of UF in patients willing to preserve their fertility. Trial registration number NCT03991078