Desperate Times: Protecting the Public From Research Without Consent or Oversight During Public Health Emergencies

Ann Intern Med. 2020 Dec 1;173(11):926-928. doi: 10.7326/M20-4631. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an unprecedented global research effort to better understand this virus and to identify promising treatments. In this essay, the authors note that defining activities as public health surveillance has important implications, because such activities do not require further ethical oversight, informed consent, or protections for vulnerable persons or communities.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / ethics*
  • Biomedical Research / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • Emergencies* / epidemiology
  • Government Regulation
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent / ethics*
  • Informed Consent / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Population Surveillance / methods
  • Public Health / ethics*
  • Public Health / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Public Health / methods