Hsc 320 Ethical Research Paper

Ethical Research
Frances Jeffcoat
HSC: 320
2 December 2014 Abstract This paper explores the history and ethics of research. This paper will look at two different types of research that are commonly used today. The focus of the research is clinical and basic science. Clinical science is the use of humans in an experiment or study to further knowledge about a particular aspect. Basic science is the use of cells or animals in an experiment or study to further knowledge. This paper will discuss the history of the ethical issues that have given rise to current laws regarding testing humans and animals. This paper will also discuss the ethics surrounding the current laws in place to protect humans and animals during the scientific process.
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However, research was not always a shining glimmer of hope. Just a few decades ago, research could be viewed as unethical and immoral. As the years progressed the laws surrounding research have developed to protect humans and animals alike. Research is a beacon of hope for the science community but has a dark past. The research process is very long and can take up to a decade or longer to be completed. The bench-to-bedside process has five stages. The stages include basic science discovery, early translation, late translation, dissemination, and adoption (Devine). Each of the steps are crucial to follow for the safety of the consumer and any living creature involved in the process. Basic science discovery is the first step in the process. In this step, there is a discovery of a microbiological target where there can be a medical advancement (Devine). For example, finding a target gene or a protein that can help cure cancer would be part of the basic science discovery. The next step in the bench-to-bedside process is the early translation stage. This stage is the collaboration part of the process. This is where teams and intervention ideas start to form (Devine). This step also encompasses phases one and two of the clinical trials. In phase one all the

One of the common misconceptions about animal testing is that they are treated in a cold manner. This is not true. The animals must be kept in a happy and healthy state in order for the test results to be accurate (Robinson). According to Dr. Robinson, there is a whole team dedicated to making the animal happy and healthy, anywhere from playing with the animal to feeding and making sure the living environment is clean and up to standards. Another misconception is that the animals suffer a lot of pain and are not cared for in a medical sense. This too is incorrect. In the approval process, the proposal is reviewed very carefully to minimize the amount of pain suffered and there is a veterinarian on staff ready and waiting for the animal to need their assistance (Robinson). Animal research is essential to scientific studies for a plethora of reasons. First off, the effects of a procedure or medicine can be identified more efficiently (Robinson). Since the animal, such as a mouse, has such a short life span, the reaction to any medication will show up within a matter of days rather than years as would be cohesive with a human life. Animals also get a lot of the same illnesses that humans get and since a research facility is able to control all the variables surrounding an animal life, it is more likely to determine if the medication is effect or not (Robinson).