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Research ethics review in The Czech Republic: How is it done and how could it be done better

Research ethics review in The Czech Republic: How is it done and how could it be done better Jiří Šimek University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice. Sources. Research on Czech ethics committees (2006 – 2009) Sponsored by Grant Agency of Czech Republic. Czech Republic 1990 - 2010.

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Research ethics review in The Czech Republic: How is it done and how could it be done better

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  1. Research ethics review in The Czech Republic: How is it done and how could it be done better Jiří Šimek University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice

  2. Sources • Research on Czech ethics committees (2006 – 2009) • Sponsored by Grant Agency of Czech Republic

  3. Czech Republic 1990 - 2010 • Period of social transformation = “sociological laboratory”

  4. Starting point 1990 • Ethics as a discipline and mere term „ethics“ did not exist • No academic support of ethics • No political interest in ethics • No public interest in ethics

  5. In spite of this ethical mechanisms worked • From wild (“gold digger”) economy towards stabilised modern economy rooted in general trust. • Painful process of development of political culture and „revolutionary“ results of 2010 elections.

  6. Ethical mechanisms in the establishment of Czech ECs • In 1990 enlightened minister of health (M. Bojar) recommended establishment of ethics committees • About 40 ECs were quickly established • Qualification: decent and non conflicting person

  7. Ethical mechanisms in the establishment of Czech ECs • People started to work with enthusiasm • No need for clinical ethics consultation, only research ethics remained • Pharmaceutical companies saved existence of ECs • Later on grant agencies and universities started to ask for opinion

  8. In 2004 accession to EU and introduction of Decree 2001/20/EC • New bureaucratic order was introduced • First time legally recognised existence of ECs • ECs started to be officially organised • Czech Forum of Ethics Committees: platform for debate and education

  9. Experiences from research of Czech ECs • Members of ECs are Decent and non-conflicting persons • The basis of their work is debate and communication • They patiently discuss the matter from as much perspectives as much they have at disposal.

  10. Experiences from research of Czech ECs • ECs do sound decisions and they give sound opinions. But they cannot explain why they did it • Members of ECs believe that their work has sense. But they cannot explain why they feel this • They lack vocabulary and theoretical knowledge to be able to explain

  11. Our explanation • ECs were established because there is too rapid development in research and in social relations • Legal provisions and codes of conduct are out of date in the moment they are accepted • Individuals can explain them differently

  12. Our explanation • ECs do classical ethical enterprise • They discuss the matter from all accessible and reasonable perspectives

  13. How could it be done better? • In the work of ECs there is sound ethical mechanism • We should defend this part of their work.

  14. There are two dangers: • Bureaucratising of the work of ECs • Restriction of the work of Ecs to application of legal provisions and codes of ethics. • Members need sound ethical creativity

  15. How could it be done better? • In next future demand for accountability of ECs will be very strong • Members of Ecs need the ability to explain what they are doing • They need education in ethics

  16. How could it be done better? • We need research ethics as academic discipline • What should be the content of research ethics? • What should learn members of ECs?

  17. How could it be done better? • “Ethical expertise” does it exist? And what we mean by that term? • Second order discipline? How to educate in such disciplines?

  18. Thank you for your attention

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