Reassessing Ethics Committee Organization: Implications for Research Evaluation
Maria Amelia Rodriguez1, University Of Queensland. Faculty of Business, Economics and Law 1University Of Queensland. Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Abstract
This abstract critically reevaluates the organizational structure of ethics committees and its impact on research evaluation, with a focus on the Scientific Committee at INCan (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología) from Mexico. These committees shape the use of biological samples and safeguard patients’ rights in research within the institution.
The study examines the nature of deliberation among researchers who evaluate projects proposed by their colleagues, who are not only their peers but may also share research interests. The prevailing “groups of experts” model, rooted in a specific context in the United States, forms the basis for most ethics committees worldwide.
However, this abstract highlights a potential oversight in this model: ethics committees consist of researchers from the same institution as the project proposers. This closeness may lead to power dynamics that influence decision-making within committees and impact research project evaluations.
The study prompts reflections on the implications of this organizational model for research evaluation, emphasizing the need for transparency and equity. It calls for robust evaluation processes that consider the intricacies of relationships within ethics committees.
Biography
I am a Molecular Biologist with a Master’s degree in Philosophy of Science and a recently completed
PhD in Social Studies of Science. My research has focused on the study of biobanks, the management
of biological samples, and the organizational challenges faced by scientific institutions. With a strong
background in molecular diagnostic techniques, as well as experience in animal and human
reproduction, and the development of biotechnological projects for industrial purposes, I bring a
comprehensive skill set to the field. I have a deep passion for the practice of science and a keen
interest in critically analyzing and improving the institutional organization of scientific endeavors.