Content
Ethical issues
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research
The Values and Ethics: Guidance for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research was designed to provide guidance to researchers, HRECs and Aboriginal specific HRECs or subcommittees on the conception, design and conduct of research.
Animal to human transplantation research (Xenotransplantation)
Xenotransplantation is the term used to cover the transplantation of cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.
ART - Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted Reproductive Technology is the application of laboratory or clinical technology to gametes and/or embryos for the purposes of reproduction. All reproductive medicine units offering ART services should comply with the Ethical Guidelines in use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research.
Ashed bones
From 1957 to 1978, the Commonwealth Government ran a monitoring program to measure radiation fallout over Australia by taking small bone samples from about 22,000 bodies during autopsies. This report covers advice to the Minister on what to do with any remaining samples, and how to communicate with next-of-kin.
Clinical trials
A 'clinical trial' is the name commonly given to research in which a therapeutic, preventive or diagnostic intervention is tested. Clinical trials are conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and in certain circumstances in accordance with legislation.
Cloning of human beings
In 2002 the Australian Parliament passed two Acts to legislate on issues around human cloning and research involving human embryos.
Communicating with patients
A resource kit outlining good medical practice in doctor-patient communication has been developed by the Australian Health Ethics Committee.
Fetal tissue use in research
Research involving the fetus and fetal tissue requires special consideration. Supplementary note 5, in conjunction with the National Statement on ethical conduct in Human Research (2007) are used as a guide on ethical matters for research involving the human fetus or human fetal tissue.
Health privacy framework
The primary focus of the NHMRC with respect to privacy is in relation to research, balancing the need for the protection of personal privacy in data, and the need to facilitate access to data for research purposes.
Human genetics
Nationally and internationally advances in genetic research and genetic testing are ongoing. Information on ethical aspects of genetic research and genetic testing including privacy and confidentiality, are provided.
NHMRC calls for calm in organ-donation-after-death debate
The NHMRC is currently undertaking a routine review of its guidelines on the ethical issues surrounding organ and tissue donations after death.
This has attracted recent media coverage and the NHMRC would like to clarify some of the ethical issues raised by the media.
Organs retained at autopsy
The publication Organs Retained at Autopsy - Ethical and Practical Issues contains advice and recommendations on what should be done about tissues and organs currently held without permission, as a result of autopsies.
Post-Coma Unresponsiveness
The Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) has established a Working Party to develop guidelines for the care of people diagnosed with post-coma unresponsiveness and people in a minimally responsive state.
Quality assurance activities
In response to questions about when qualify assurances activities should have ethical review, and to whether some quality assurance activities should be classed as research, AHEC held targeted consultations in 2002.
Stem cell research
Advice for the preparation and review of research protocols relating to the use of embryonic and non-embryonic human stem cells.
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