RESEARCH ETHICS

A LESSON IN STEM RESEARCH 1

R E S E A R C H U N I T, P S H S - C V C
 It is every
Being ethical is being
moral and just; that is,
researcher’s role to
doing what is right or be ethical in all
what conforms to his/her actions.
existing and accepted
standards of good
behavior or morality.
 General Rules and Guidelines
 ensure the safety of all who or which are involved in the research
 conduct procedures under the guidance of an expert, qualified
scientist or a supervisor (research assistant, research adviser or
research teacher)
 read and follow instructions and/or procedures strictly especially on
the handling of materials
 perform only the procedures duly approved by a review committee
 perform the procedure in a proper location (laboratory or other
areas approved by a review committee)
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Human Subjects
Mental/ Psychological
Activities

Physical Activities

Behavioral Observations
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Human Subjects
 Get consent from the humans involved
 Get consent from their parents when they are REMEMBER
minors these!
 Assess potential physical and/or psychological risks
when developing the research plan (methodology)
 ALL results should be confidential. DO NOT divulge
the names of respondents as much as possible
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Human Subjects
 Involving high-risk groups (children, pregnant women, those
with diseases/disorders/disabilities – mental/psychological, AVOID
physical) these!
 Administration of medications or ingestion of substances
 Letting respondents do non-routine physical activities
 Performing medical procedures. ONLY MEDICAL
PROFESSIONALS CAN DO THIS.
 perform the procedure in a proper location (laboratory or
other areas approved by a review committee)
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
LIVE mice, rabbits,
guinea pigs

embryos or foetuses

and the like…

Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
 Minimize pain and risks to the subjects and to the
environment REMEMBER
 Apply the 3 Rs as much as possible: these!
Reduce the number within statistical validity
Refine procedures to lessen inflicted pain or
distress
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
Replace vertebrates with lower life forms:
invertebrates REMEMBER
these!
fungi, yeast, molds, bacteria
tissue/cell cultures
plants
computer simulations
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
 Always seek the guidance of an expert during
experimentation REMEMBER
 Perform the experiment in a regulated research these!
site
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
 Treating animals with toxic chemicals such as pesticides,
heavy metals, alcohols, acids, etc. AVOID
 Procedures involving mother-infant separation these!
 Pain studies
 Predator-prey experiments
 Death-inducing experiments
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
 The maximum permissible weight loss or growth
retardation is 15% Important
 Water and/or food restriction must not exceed 18 Considerations
hours
 If deaths were inevitable or encountered, the
cause of death must be investigated upon
 Death rate must not exceed 30% of the sample
 Observe proper care and disposal of test animals
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
ON ACQUISITION AND HANDLING
 Animals should be healthy and free of diseases
Important
 Use the right age (mice: 5-6 months)
Considerations
 Obtain homogenous samples from a reputable
supplier (RITM, UP, UST, etc.)
 Feed animals properly
 Clean cages/animal containers properly and
regularly
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
ON EUTHANASIA (acceptable procedures)
 administration of barbituric acid derivatives in Important
Considerations
conformance with applicable laws;
 inhalation of gas anaesthetic in a well-ventilated
area; with or without subsequent cervical dislocation
 induced narcosis with carbon dioxide or nitrogen for
common laboratory animals;
 use of MS-222 and hypothermia with subsequent
cervical dislocation for cold-blooded aquatic species.
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Animal Tissues
Body fluids (urine,
saliva, blood, etc.)

animal tissues / organs

and the like…

Specific Guidelines
When Involving Non-human Vertebrates
 Always seek the approval and guidance of an
expert before and during experimentation REMEMBER
 Use proper laboratory protective gears to avoid these!
contact with these materials
 Materials used should be disinfected and
autoclaved prior to disposal
 Conduct procedures only with the guidance of a
qualified scientist or supervisor
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Toxic Reagents
 Always seek the approval and guidance of an expert
before and during experimentation
 Use proper laboratory protective gears to avoid contact REMEMBER
with these materials these!
 Read the Material Safety Data Sheet of all reagents
involved prior to usage and experimentation
 Regulate the amounts of substances used
 Dispose all substances in designated waste bottles
 Conduct procedures only with the guidance of a qualified
scientist or supervisor
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Pathogens
Microorganisms
except E. coli strain
K12 and Baker’s
and Brewer’s Yeast
Animal wastes

and the like…

Specific Guidelines
When Involving Pathogens
 Always seek the approval and guidance of an
expert before and during experimentation REMEMBER
 Use proper laboratory protective gears to these!
avoid contact with these materials
 All glassware used should be disinfected and
autoclaved prior to storage
 All waste materials should be disinfected and
autoclaved prior to disposal
Specific Guidelines
When Involving Pathogens
 Conduct procedures in regulated
laboratories, preferably in confined areas REMEMBER
these!
 Conduct procedures only with the guidance
of a qualified scientist or supervisor
Specific Guidelines
ON the use of intellectual property
 Always cite the sources and/or authors of
statements, ideas, images/figures, etc. REMEMBER
these!
 NEVER copy statements verbatim
 Paraphrase cited statements and/or
paragraphs