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. 2023 Mar;53 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S50-S65.
doi: 10.1002/hast.1478.

Wrestling with Public Input on an Ethical Analysis of Scientific Research

Daphne Oluwaseun Martschenko, Shawneequa L Callier, Nanibaa' A Garrison, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Patrick Turley, Michelle N Meyer, Erik Parens

Wrestling with Public Input on an Ethical Analysis of Scientific Research

Daphne Oluwaseun Martschenko et al. Hastings Cent Rep. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Bioethicists frequently call for empirical researchers to engage participants and community members in their research, but don't themselves typically engage community members in their normative research. In this article, we describe an effort to include members of the public in normative discussions about the risks, potential benefits, and ethical responsibilities of social and behavioral genomics (SBG) research. We reflect on what might-and might not- be gained from engaging the public in normative scholarship and on lessons learned about public perspectives on the risks and potential benefits of SBG research and the responsible conduct and communication of such research. We also provide procedural lessons for others in bioethics who are interested in engaging members of the public in their research.

Keywords: community sounding board; normative scholarship; public engagement; research ethics; responsible conduct of research; social and behavioral genomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement: This manuscript is comprised of original material that is not under review elsewhere, and the subject on which the research is based has been subject to appropriate ethical review. The authors declare there are no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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