Ethics of international clinical research collaboration — the experience of AlloStem

Abstract

This paper examines the ethics of international clinical collaboration in stem cell research by focusing on the AlloStem project. AlloStem is an international research programme, financed by the European Union under the Sixth Framework Programme, with the aim of advancing the use of stem cells in treating leukaemia and other haematological diseases. Several areas of ethical importance are explored. Research justification and the need to consider both deontological and teleological aspects are examined. Ethical sensitivity in research and the requirement to respond to areas of ethical concern identified by the European Commission, such as the involvement of human beings, the use of human tissue, and the use of animals are also explored. Ethical issues around project structure and management, such as ethical standardization in international research, and achieving set targets are discussed. The ethical importance of dissemination of findings and teaching in clinical research is also considered. Finally, the distribution of benefits is addressed and the importance of distributive justice is emphasized.

Volume 100: clinical investigations: where next?

“…Another area raised by the EC is the ethical importance of disseminating research findings, an important role for high-quality international journals. 24 Critical assessment of clinical investigations is essential for practising clinicians to maintain professional competence throughout their careers. This emphasizes the importance of communicating research findings in a way that is clear and comprehensible to clinicians and allows them to assess relevance to their own clinical practice.…”