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

could it be done better

Jiří ŠimekUniversity 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

Period of social transformation = “sociological laboratory”

Starting point 1990

Ethics as a discipline and mere term „ethics“ did not exist

No academic support of ethicsNo political interest in ethicsNo public interest in ethics

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.

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 establishedQualification: decent and non conflicting person

Ethical mechanisms in the establishment of Czech ECs

People started to work with enthusiasmNo need for clinical ethics consultation,

only research ethics remainedPharmaceutical companies saved

existence of ECsLater on grant agencies and universities

started to ask for opinion

In 2004 accession to EU and introduction of Decree 2001/20/EC

New bureaucratic order was introducedFirst time legally recognised existence

of ECs ECs started to be officially organisedCzech Forum of Ethics Committees:

platform for debate and education

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.

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

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because there is too rapid development in research and in social relations Legal provisions and codes of conduct are out of date in the moment they are accepted Individuals can explain them differently

Our explanation

ECs do classical ethical enterprise

They discuss the matter from all accessible and reasonable perspectives

How could it be done better?

In the work of ECs there is sound ethical mechanism

We should defend this part of their work.

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

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

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?

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?

Thank you for your attention