Advancing research ethics systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: a path for other LMICs?

Research ethics systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systemic assessment using indicators

“…It is a challenge to approach research ethics as a system-ie, with a comprehensive scope that pertains to all areas of research and the coordination with all relevant stakeholders. 1,2 To realise this goal, member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which is the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to promote a systemic approach to research ethics. [1][2][3] PAHO's Regional Program on Bioethics, 4 which is tasked with supporting member states to advance the integration of ethics in all healthrelated activities, 5 consequently devised an approach based on two strategic lines of action: (1) to strengthen research ethics systems so they can ensure all research is ethical; and (2) to strengthen ethics preparedness for emergencies.…”

“…1,2 To realise this goal, member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which is the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to promote a systemic approach to research ethics. [1][2][3] PAHO's Regional Program on Bioethics, 4 which is tasked with supporting member states to advance the integration of ethics in all healthrelated activities, 5 consequently devised an approach based on two strategic lines of action: (1) to strengthen research ethics systems so they can ensure all research is ethical; and (2) to strengthen ethics preparedness for emergencies. In 2018, specific objectives were formulated for each strategic line along with indicators to assess each objective (table 1).…”

“…In 2018, specific objectives were formulated for each strategic line along with indicators to assess each objective (table 1). 2,3 Evaluations based on the indicators allow PAHO to tailor technical cooperation plans to each country according to…”

Preparing ethical review systems for emergencies: next steps

“…Detailed guidance and recommendations were produced targeting both global [ 1 , 3 , 4 ] and regional [ 5 ] audiences; in many cases these were developed in partnership with those facing these ethical challenges on the ground including members of national ethics committees, the ALERRT clinical research network, and ethicists participating in the Zika Ethics Consultation initiated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Training materials addressing emergency contexts were produced to support capacity strengthening within individual research ethics committees [ 6 , 7 ], as were indicators to promote and support a more strategic approach to ethics systems at national level [ 8 ].…”

Inclusion under the Mental Capacity Act (2005): A review of research policy guidance and governance structures in England and Wales

“…The aim was to investigate how people with communication and understanding difficulties are considered in the research guidance in England and Wales. This is an international concern for legal systems across the globe 53,54 . The research question was as follows: How does the CoP (2007), as the operational document of the MCA (2005), and HRA research guidance support the representation of people with communication and understanding difficulties in research?…”