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Articles on Human research ethics

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A few days after successful fertilization, an embryo becomes a rapidly dividing ball of cells called a blastocyst. Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Promising assisted reproductive technologies come with ethical, legal and social challenges – a developmental biologist and a bioethicist discuss IVF, abortion and the mice with two dads

Scientists can create viable eggs from two male mice. In the wake of CRISPR controversies and restrictive abortion laws, two experts start a dialogue on ethical research in reproductive biology.
Participants in biobank studies are often asked for broad consent to use their data. Science Photo Library - TEK IMAGE/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images

Researchers can learn a lot with your genetic information, even when you skip survey questions – yesterday’s mode of informed consent doesn’t quite fit today’s biobank studies

Biobanks collect and store large amounts of data that researchers use to conduct a wide range of studies. Making sure participants understand what they’re getting into can help build trust in science.
A casual stroll on the beach can leave enough intact DNA behind to extract identifiable information. Comezora/Moment via Getty Images

You shed DNA everywhere you go – trace samples in the water, sand and air are enough to identify who you are, raising ethical questions about privacy

Environmental DNA provides a wealth of information for conservationists, archaeologists and forensic scientists. But the unintentional pickup of human genetic information raises ethical questions.
DNA editing has the capacity to treat many diseases, but how to do this safely and equitably remains unclear. KTSDESIGN/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Human genome editing offers tantalizing possibilities – but without clear guidelines, many ethical questions still remain

Following the controversial births of the first gene-edited babies, a major focus of the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing was responsible use of CRISPR.
Many researchers are interested in the genetic history of the Khoe-San. Dana Al-Hindi

How a South African community’s request for its genetic data raises questions about ethical and equitable research

The South African Khoe-San communities are no strangers to exploitative research. One research team is trying to provide genetic ancestry results to community members. But they still face many challenges.
Ancient DNA holds a great deal of valuable information - but it must be researched ethically. © Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Why scholars have created global guidelines for ancient DNA research

Studying ancient DNA in Africa is valuable for understanding human evolution, population migrations, and human history locally, regionally and globally.
Nazi leadership saw medical and pharmaceutical research as a front-line tool to contribute to the war effort. Akanbatt / Pixabay

When science is put in the service of evil

Medical research has a dark history of human experimentation in Nazi Germany. And we’re still uncovering the extent of the horrors.
CRISPR is a gene editing tool that can create permanent changes in the human genome. from www.shutterstock.com

Experts call for halt to CRISPR editing that allows gene changes to pass on to children

Four months ago a researcher claimed he had used the tool CRISPR to edit the genomes of twin girls. Now prominent researchers and ethicists are calling for a temporary halt to this sort of work.
It’s not always clear where human organs come from in research papers. Piron Guillaume/unsplash

Whose hearts, livers and lungs are transplanted in China? Origins must be clear in human organ research

International standards ban publication of research that involves any biological material from executed prisoners, that lacks human research ethics committee approval and that lacks consent of donors.
Exercise Desert Rock I Buster Jangle Dog. By Federal Government of the United States [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

How national security gave birth to bioethics

On Human Experiments: what lies behind some of the most shocking human experiments in recent history? Here’s a clue: most of it took place during wartime or when war seemed like a real threat.

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