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A Canadian Perspective on Ethics Review and Neuroimaging: Tensions and Solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Eric Racine ,
Georg Northoff ,
Ravi S. Menon ,
Jonathan Kimmelman  and
Judy Illes
Eric Racine*
Affiliation:
Neuroethics Research Unit, McGill University Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal; Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, McGill University Departments of Medicine and Social and Preventive Medicine, Bioethics Programs, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
Georg Northoff
Affiliation:
Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa Royal Ottawa Healthcare Group, Ottawa
Ravi S. Menon
Affiliation:
Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Jonathan Kimmelman
Affiliation:
Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal; Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Department of Social Studies of Medicine, McGill University
Judy Illes
Affiliation:
National Core for Neuroethics, Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
*
Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Quebec, H2W lR7, Canada
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Abstract

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Neuroimaging research has raised ethical concerns such as the management of unexpected findings and the classification and assessment of risks. Research ethics boards (REBs) bear responsibility for the oversight of these challenges but neuroimagers struggle with the practical aspects of ethics review and report that administrative load and inconsistency contribute to eroding confidence and trust in ethics review. Our goal was to discuss and propose strategies for institutional and educational change to improve ethics review. We used an iterative and deliberative workshop-based writing process involving multiple disciplines. We propose recommendations in three tension areas: (1) communication between researchers and REBs; (2) collaboration and sharing of expertise between REBs; and (3) practical considerations and the needs of neuroimagers engaged in the ethics review process. Our recommendations are intended as openings rather than endpoints. Researchers and research ethics governance communities should decide on the future uptake of these recommendations.

Type
Review Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , July 2011 , pp. 572 - 579
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2011

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