Research Ethics Committees and subjects Vulnerability: an experience report

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.200630.3.11

Abstract

his article aims to present the results of a research carried through with some Research Ethics Committees of São Paulo State in
order to verify whether these committees are accomplishing their assigned purpose, that is, to guarantee the protection of the rights and the
dignity of the human beings involved in scientific experimentations. More specifically, it has the intention to reflect on those aspects related to
the vulnerability of research subjects. This report of experiences aims to reflect on people involved in the activities of the Committees in
particular the responsible secretaries, and to study available archived documents. The Research Ethics Committees chosen had been from the
Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), PUC-Sorocaba, São Camilo University Center, Dante Pazzanese Hospital, Hospital of the
Clinics of the Medical School of University of São Paulo (USP), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and College of Public Health of USP.
In accordance with data gathered, there is a concern with the protection of research subjects, to prevent abuses and disrespect to their dignity.
It was also observed that the main reason of research projects non-approval has been the inadequate or insufficient filling of the Free and
Informed Consent Statement (FICS). Anyway, the committees are still in a process of evolution and improvement. Nevertheless, it remains as
desirable to extend internal pluralism and the bonds between the committees. Only then will bioethical reflection have justified the reason of
its existence as a language for mediating conflicts and interests in research and experimentation with human beings.