Ethics of Biological Sampling Research with Aboriginal Communities in Canada

Nowrouzi, Behdin; McGregor, Lorrilee; McDougall, Alicia; Debassige, Donna; Casole, Jennifer; Nguyen, Christine; Nowrouzi‐Kia, Behnam; McGregor, Deborah

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v9n4p20

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Arbour and Cook 2006). This “loan” method enables communities and participants to determine the future use of their samples; when acquiring the samples on loan, the researchers do not have the authority to store or conduct any secondary use of the samples (Nowrouzi et al 2016). Prior to the recruitment and personal consent of pregnant women, support letters from First Nation community representatives were obtained.…”

Section: Ethics In Ethnobiological Biomonitoring Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomonitoring and Ethnobiology: Approaches to Fill Gaps in Indigenous Public and Environmental Health

Caron-Beaudoin

Armstrong

2019

Journal of Ethnobiology

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Ethnobiology is well positioned to work in tandem with biomonitoring research to create a more complete understanding of how people experience and are affected by contaminated environments. Indigenous communities in proximity to unconventional natural gas (“fracking”) facilities face potential health risks that are often poorly assessed or not assessed at all. This contribution reviews a biomonitoring pilot research project in British Columbia (Canada) that was informed by Indigenous Peoples' concerns of contaminant exposure from traditional foods and their environment. Preliminary biomonitoring results indicate higher levels of a benzene metabolite in pregnant Indigenous women near fracking facilities, compared to what measured in non-Indigenous women. We investigate how Indigenous Peoples' concerns of exposure to industrial contaminants should inform biomonitoring and toxicological studies and, conversely, how biomonitoring studies can complement ethnobiological research with assessable data. By focusing on environmental knowledge and human health in the context of oil and gas development, we critically evaluate how action, environmental justice, and scientific research can and should contribute to more ethical and methodological frameworks and practices. Together, ethnobiology and biomonitoring can be used to fill in important knowledge gaps in environmental health and ethical research practices.

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Section: Ethics In Ethnobiological Biomonitoring Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomonitoring and Ethnobiology: Approaches to Fill Gaps in Indigenous Public and Environmental Health

Caron-Beaudoin

Armstrong

2019

Journal of Ethnobiology

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“…Because of their lack of genetic admixture and lack of contact with the developed world, indigenous populations are unique for genetic and biomarker clinical research. Several studies have already documented research ethics violations among indigenous populations [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential research ethics violations against an indigenous tribe in Ecuador: a mixed methods approach

et al. 2020

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Background Biomedical and ethnographic studies among indigenous people are common practice in health and geographical research. Prior health research misconduct has been documented, particularly when obtaining genetic material. The objective of this study was to crossmatch previously published data with the perceptions of the Waorani peoples about the trading of their genetic material and other biological samples. Methods We conducted a mixed methods study design using a tailored 15-item questionnaire in 72 participants and in-depth interviews in 55 participants belonging to 20 Waorani communities about their experiences and perceptions of participating in biomedical research projects. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review of the literature in order to crossmatch the published results of studies stating the approval of an ethics committee and individual consent within their work. Results A total of 40 men (60%) and 32 women (40%), with a mean age of 57 ± 15 years agreed to be interviewed for inclusion. Five main categories around the violation of good clinical practices were identified, concerning the obtention of blood samples from a recently contacted Waorani native community within the Amazonian region of Ecuador. These themes are related to the lack of adequate communication between community members and researchers as well as the voluntariness to participate in health research. Additionally, over 40 years, a total of 38 manuscripts related to the use of biological samples in Waorani indigenous people were published. The majority of the studies (68%) did not state within their article obtaining research ethics board approval, and 71% did not report obtaining the informed consent of the participants prior to the execution of the project. Conclusion Clinical Research on the Waorani community in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin has been performed on several occasions. Unfortunately, the majority of these projects did not follow the appropriate ethical and professional standards in either reporting the results or fulfilling them. The results of our investigation suggest that biological material, including genetic material, has been used by researchers globally, with some omitting the minimum information required to guarantee transparency and good clinical practices. We highlight the importance of stating ethics within research to avoid breaches in research transparency.

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Ethics of Biological Sampling Research with Aboriginal Communities in Canada

Cited by 2 publications

References 25 publications

Biomonitoring and Ethnobiology: Approaches to Fill Gaps in Indigenous Public and Environmental Health

Biomonitoring and Ethnobiology: Approaches to Fill Gaps in Indigenous Public and Environmental Health

Potential research ethics violations against an indigenous tribe in Ecuador: a mixed methods approach

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