Clinical research in Latin America - Controversies in Boliva and Guatemala

Hello Everyone,  

Here are follow up materials on the Surfaxin in Bolivia case study that Joe Millum presented at yesterday's class session on ethics in biomedical research.

This chapter posted by Public Citizen "Ethical Issues in International Biomedical Research: A Casebook" describes the Surfaxin issue in detail and addresses through commentary the three seminal issues important for the ethical conduct of research:  respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.  I think you will find the commentaries both compelling and instructive.   

You may have heard about the apology issued in 2010 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for the conduct of a US Public Health

NY Times news clipping, 1947

Service researcher who, 64 years earlier, in the 1940s, infected thousands of Guatemalans with syphilis bacteria without informing them of the risks. The researchers apparently knew they were breaching research ethics rules, but proceeded anyway. This news clipping from the NY Times seems to indicate that the motivation for this was to get results quickly.  Clearly, the "ends justified the means," in the mind of these researchers. 

Qs: Is this surprising to you?  Does the risk of unethical research persist in the 21st century?  Can researchers be held accountable to the principles of ethical research, regardless of their country of citizenship? 

 Best, Jim