SNAPSHOT WITH THE EXPERTS. The participants of the MHRDC Training on Basic Ethics in Research Concerning Human subjects with Dr. Angeles Tan-Alora (seated third from left) and Prof. Peter A. Sy (seated third from right). | 04 APRIL 2013

Last April 3-4, 2013, the MIMAROPA Health Research and Development Consortium (MHRDC) held its Training on Basic Ethics in Research Concerning Human Subjects at the CHED Conference Room, HEDC Bldg., C.P. Garcia Avenue, Quezon City.

Twenty-two health and social researchers from MIMAROPA State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and other member-agencies participated on this two-day event led by research experts and trainers from the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board. Dr. Angeles Tan-Alora and Prof. Peter Sy discussed on the ethical guidelines and methodologies in research. Dr. Alora mainly tackled the concepts governing ethical research endeavours. She cited that researchers that are physically and ethically qualified should do researches with human subjects. Having an institution-based Ethics Review Committee will help in determining a researcher's ethical readiness.   In addition, Prof. Sy's lectures  were on the on the person and social aspects of it. He pointed out that while a clinical research can be beneficial to men, the method by which the output be obtained should also be considered. Clinical trials can pose harm on its research subjects, may it be tested to human or an animal subject. Both speakers were centering on the idea that researchers should consider the saying “Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you”, also known as the golden rule, in the conduct of their studies.

The training also aimed to guide the participating institutions in creating their own Ethics Board which will act as a guiding body in their organization come conducting researches, especially those concerning human. Once organized, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Training will follow to help their Ethics Board draft their procedures manual.