Reserach Ethics, Consnet And And Informed Decision Making

Prof Ponsiano Ocama

The document outlines core ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non‑maleficence, and justice, and explains their application in research settings. It reviews landmark events like the Nuremberg Code, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, the Helsinki Declaration, and the Belmont Report that shaped modern research ethics. The role, composition, and responsibilities of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are described, emphasizing protection of participants and ongoing monitoring. Detailed components of informed consent—including information, understanding, and choice—are provided alongside practical elements for consent forms. The material is intended for fourth‑year medical students to support informed decision‑making and ethical conduct in research.