Abuses and Apologies: Irresponsible Conduct of Human Subjects Research in Latin America

Abstract

This paper explores the vulnerability of Latin American human subjects, and how their vulnerability is ignored due to the complexities and inconsistencies of oversight committees and institutional policies. Secondly, the concept of apology is examined and its meaning to victims of past research abuses.

Is the Precautionary Principle Adaptable to Emergency Scenarios to Speed Up Research, Risking the Individual Informed Consent?

“…A pandemic may put patients within the inclusion criteria of vulnerable population: They are confined, have unattended needs, and have limited access (or no access at all) to effective treatment (Aultman 2013;Bayer and Fairchild 2004). This can place them in a fragile psychological status, which may hinder their free will to accept or reject participating in a clinical study of a novel drug.…”

“…This vulnerability needs to be evaluated by an independent institutional review board (IRB) to conclude that their participation is free of any influence, including potential dependency toward the researcher or the organization leading the study. In addition to the ethics assessment, the IRB should review the methodology to make sure that the experimental undertaking meets acceptable scientific standards (Aultman 2013).…”

Through Silence We Speak: Approaches to Counselling and Psychotherapy with Canadian First Nation Clients

“…Conducting psychological research with First Nations is still a delicate issue, especially if the researcher is non-Native. There is a long history of abuse and harmful research putting stress on communities (Aultman, 2013;Darou, Kurtness*, & Hum, 2000). The following recommendations can reduce the chances of conducting disrespectful research:…”

From in vivo to in vitro: How the Guatemala STD Experiments Transformed Bodies Into Biospecimens

“…As was the case for the Nazi medical experiments, the consensus is that—under professional research norms at the time of collection —material gathered during the Guatemala and Tuskegee experiments was done so unethically . (p93), These experiments were a gross violation of the subjects’ autonomy interests as well as social justice considerations and caused profound and indefinite harm that continues to engender anger, fear, and mistrust among affected communities …”