Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract Background The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6 |
| _version_ | 1818531098021330944 |
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| author | Laura J. Heathfield Sairita Maistry Lorna J. Martin Raj Ramesar Jantina de Vries |
| author_facet | Laura J. Heathfield Sairita Maistry Lorna J. Martin Raj Ramesar Jantina de Vries |
| author_sort | Laura J. Heathfield |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Main body This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. Conclusion It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:28:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5feaf058378e46a29f197a493386948c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:28:02Z |
| publishDate | 2017-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj.art-5feaf058378e46a29f197a493386948c2022-12-22T00:56:54ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392017-11-011811810.1186/s12910-017-0225-6Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South AfricaLaura J. Heathfield0Sairita Maistry1Lorna J. Martin2Raj Ramesar3Jantina de Vries4Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownDivision of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownDivision of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownMRC/UCT Human Genetics Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape TownDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownAbstract Background The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Main body This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. Conclusion It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6Vulnerable groupNext of kinSudden unexpected death of infantsSuicideForensicPost-mortem |
| spellingShingle | Laura J. Heathfield Sairita Maistry Lorna J. Martin Raj Ramesar Jantina de Vries Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa BMC Medical Ethics Vulnerable group Next of kin Sudden unexpected death of infants Suicide Forensic Post-mortem |
| title | Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa |
| title_full | Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa |
| title_short | Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa |
| title_sort | ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post mortem in cape town south africa |
| topic | Vulnerable group Next of kin Sudden unexpected death of infants Suicide Forensic Post-mortem |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6 |
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