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Lapid MI, Meagher KM, Giunta HC, Clarke BL, Ouellette Y, Armbrust TL, Sharp RR, Wright RS. Ethical Challenges in COVID-19 Biospecimen Research: Perspectives From Institutional Review Board Members and Bioethicists. Mayo Clin Proc 2021; 96:165-173. [PMID: 33413815 PMCID: PMC7584427 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biospecimen research is a prominent investigative strategy that aims to provide novel insights into coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), inform clinical trials, and develop effective, life-saving treatments. However, COVID-19 biospecimen research raises accompanying ethical concerns and practical challenges for investigators and participants. In this special article, we discuss the ethical issues that are associated with autonomy, beneficence, and justice in COVID-19 biospecimen research and describe strategies to manage the practical challenges, with an emphasis on protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants during a pandemic response. Appropriate institutional review board oversight and bioethics guidance for COVID-19 biospecimen research must maintain their focus on protecting the rights and welfare of research participants, despite the urgent need for more knowledge about the virus and the threat it poses to communities and nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I Lapid
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | - Karen M Meagher
- Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Hannah C Giunta
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Bart L Clarke
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Yves Ouellette
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Tamyra L Armbrust
- Office for Human Research Protection and Institutional Review Board, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Richard R Sharp
- Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - R Scott Wright
- Office for Human Research Protection and Institutional Review Board, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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