Dr Jing-Ru Li1
1University Of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Biography:
I am the Ethics and Regulatory Specialist at the University of Auckland. Working with the ethics committee helps me consider ethical issues from a more practical perspective and encourages deeper reflection. I strive to help more people understand bioethics and use this knowledge to lead a moral life.
Abstract:
The secondary use of health data has significant potential for advancing research; however, it also presents ethical challenges in the ethics review process. This paper focuses on the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Through a case study, it explores the issues and concerns raised during ethics reviews.
The paper begins with a case study that analyses current ethics review mechanisms both in New Zealand and globally. Health research studies using secondary data are commonly considered 'low risk,' often resulting in an expedited review process. However, significant ethical risks are associated with this type of study in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. The paper outlines specific ethical concerns within New Zealand's cultural context, such as social stigma, potential misuse of data, and insensitive consent processes. This case study demonstrates that Māori communities might be more susceptible to the negative impacts of poorly conducted studies. Therefore, a robust ethics review process is important for secondary data research to prevent harm and promote equity for Māori populations.
The paper recommends establishing a culturally sensitive and empirically sound ethics review process for research studies involving secondary data, which aligns with the needs and values of New Zealand's population.