Fair Resource Allocation to Health Research: Priority Topics for Bioethics Scholarship

This article draws attention to the limited amount of scholarship on what constitutes fairness and equity in resource allocation to health research by individual funders. It identifies three key decisions of ethical significance about resource allocation that research funders make regularly and calls for prioritizing scholarship on those topics – namely, how health resources should be fairly apportioned amongst public health and health care delivery versus health research, how health research resources should be fairly allocated between health problems experienced domestically versus other health problems typically experienced by disadvantaged populations outside the funder's country, and how domestic and non‐domestic health research funding should be further apportioned to different areas, e.g. types of research and recipients. These three topics should be priorities for bioethics research because their outcomes have a substantial bearing on the achievement of health justice. The proposed agenda aims to move discussion on the ethics of health research funding beyond its current focus on the mismatch between worldwide basic and clinical research investment and the global burden of disease. Individual funders’ decision‐making on whether and to what extent to allocate resources to non‐domestic health research, health systems research, research on the social determinants of health, capacity development, and recipients in certain countries should also be the focus of ethical scrutiny.     

AGAINST RISK-BENEFIT REVIEW OF PRISONER RESEARCH

The 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, 'Ethical Considerations for Research Involving Prisoners', recommended five main changes to current US Common Rule regulations on prisoner research. Their third recommendation was to shift from a category-based to a risk-benefit approach to research review, similar to current guidelines on pediatric research. However, prisoners are not children, so risk-benefit constraints on prisoner research must be justified in a different way from those on pediatric research. In this paper I argue that additional risk-benefit constraints on prisoner research are unnecessary: the current Common Rule regulations, omitting category-based restrictions but conjoined with the IOM report's other four main recommendations, ensure that prisoner research is as ethical as non-prisoner research is. I explain why four problems which which may be more prevalent in prisons and which risk-benefit constraints may seem to address – coercion, undue inducements, exploitation, and protection from harm – are in fact not solved by adding further risk-benefit constraints on prisoner research.     

Synthetic biology: an emerging research field in China

Synthetic biology is considered as an emerging research field that will bring new opportunities to biotechnology. There is an expectation that synthetic biology will not only enhance knowledge in basic science, but will also have great potential for practical applications. Synthetic biology is still in an early developmental stage in China. We provide here a review of current Chinese research activities in synthetic biology and its different subfields, such as research on genetic circuits, minimal genomes, chemical synthetic biology, protocells and DNA synthesis, using literature reviews and personal communications with Chinese researchers. To meet the increasing demand for a sustainable development, research on genetic circuits to harness biomass is the most pursed research within Chinese researchers. The environmental concerns are driven force of research on the genetic circuits for bioremediation. The research on minimal genomes is carried on identifying the smallest number of genomes needed for engineering minimal cell factories and research on chemical synthetic biology is focused on artificial proteins and expanded genetic code. The research on protocells is more in combination with the research on molecular-scale motors. The research on DNA synthesis and its commercialisation are also reviewed. As for the perspective on potential future Chinese R&D activities, it will be discussed based on the research capacity and governmental policy.     

与环境管理有关的生态学研究展望

当今世界 ,自然资源和环境管理间有许多问题需要解决。决策者们不断寻求能够实现环境质量改善和有效、持续利用资源的途径和手段。而环境资源的有限性和稀缺性也决定了必须进行有效的环境管理 ,这就需要借助生态学知识作出有效可行的管理决策 [10 ,11]。然而 ,在我国目前的条件下 ,生态学家和环境管理人员之间通常缺乏联系 ,在许多方面难以达成共识。其原因 ,既有人为造成的 ,也有历史发展的原因。在解决有关生态保护、环境管理和可持续发展之间的种种问题时 ,对生态学研究所处的地位和作用缺乏理论上的探索。另一方面 ,生态系统管理比我们…     

Against Harmful Research on Non‐Agreeing Children

The Code of Federal Regulations permits harmful research on children who have not agreed to participate, but I will argue that it should be no more permissive of harmful research on such children than of harmful research on adults who have not agreed to participate. Of course, the Code permits harmful research on adults. Such research is not morally problematic, however, because adults must agree to participate. And, of course, the Code also permits beneficial research on children without needing their explicit agreement. This sort of research is also not problematic, this time because paternalism towards children may be justifiable. The moral problem at the center of this paper arises from the combination of two potential properties of pediatric research, first that it might be harmful and second that its subjects might not agree to participate. In Section 2 of this article I explain how the Code permits harmful research on non‐agreeing children. Section 3 contains my argument that we should no more permit harmful research on non‐agreeing children than on non‐agreeing adults. In Section 4, I argue that my thesis does not presuppose that pediatric assent has the same moral force that adult consent does. In Section 5, I argue that the distinction between non‐voluntary and involuntary research is irrelevant to my thesis. In Section 6, I rebut an objection based on the power of parental permission. In Section 7 I suggest how the Code of Federal Regulations might be changed.     

生态系统服务供给和需求研究评述及框架体系构建

生态系统服务供给和需求联系着自然生态系统与社会经济系统,对生态系统服务供给和需求的研究有助于加强生态系统管理和实现资源优化配置,从而保障区域生态安全与社会经济可持续发展。本文在系统梳理国内外相关研究的基础上,对生态系统服务供给和需求的概念内涵、评估方法和实践应用等方面进行全面综述。从理论发展的角度看,虽然目前已取得较为丰富的研究成果,但是现有研究仍较为分散,缺乏统一的生态系统服务供需研究框架体系。鉴于此,本文在对生态系统服务供给和需求的研究范畴进行拓展的基础上,按照“理论-方法-实践”相统一的研究脉络,构建了“定性-定位-定量-定策”的生态系统服务供给和需求研究框架体系,最后提出未来研究应围绕“重点关注生态系统服务供给和需求的空间转移规律、加强生态系统服务供给和需求的定量方法研究、深化生态系统服务供给和需求应用管理实践和建立生态系统服务供给和需求应用评价机制”等方面展开,以期促进生态系统服务供给和需求的理论与实践研究。     

On the Alleged Right to Participate in High‐Risk Research

Reigning regulatory frameworks for biomedical research impose on researchers and research ethics committees an obligation to protect research participants from risks that are unnecessary, disproportionate to potential research benefits, and non‐minimized. Where the research has no potential to produce results of direct benefit to the subjects and the subjects are unable to give consent, these requirements are strengthened by an additional condition, that risks should not exceed a certain minimal threshold. In this article, I address the question of whether there should be limits of permissible risks in non‐therapeutic research involving competent and healthy subjects. Some commentators argue that competent and informed individuals should have a right to participate even in extremely risky research and that research ethics committees should never reject studies because they are too dangerous. To use David Shaw's expression, competent volunteers should have ‘a right to participate in high‐risk research’. I argue that this idea is ill‐founded, as it does not take into account the social mission and complex collaborative nature of research practice as well as the inequity of power between researchers and subjects. Imposition of limits on permissible risks for healthy volunteers is justified by the need to protect research enterprise and the need to protect the weaker party, namely the subjects. Also, I suggest that the best way to set boundaries on research risks is to leave the judgment of risk acceptability to research ethics committees.     

Promoting Research Integrity in Africa: An African Voice of Concern on Research Misconduct and the Way Forward

African researchers and their collaborators have been making significant contributions to useful research findings and discoveries in Africa. Despite evidence of scientific misconduct even in heavily regulated research environments, there is little documented information that supports prevalence of research misconduct in Africa. Available literature on research misconduct has focused on the developed world, where credible research integrity systems are already in place. Public attention to research misconduct has lately increased, calling for attention to weaknesses in current research policies and regulatory frameworks. Africa needs policies, structural and governance systems that promote responsible conduct of research. To begin to offset this relative lack of documented evidence of research misconduct, contributors working in various research institutions from nine African countries agreed to share their experiences to highlight problems and explore the need to identify strategies to promote research integrity in the African continent. The experiences shared include anecdotal but reliable accounts of previously undocumented research misconduct, including some ‘normal misbehavior’ of frontline staff in those countries. Two broad approaches to foster greater research integrity are proposed including promotion of institutional and individual capacity building to instil a culture of responsible research conduct in existing and upcoming research scientist and developing deterrent and corrective policies to minimize research misconduct and other questionable research practices. By sharing these experiences and through the strategies proposed, the authors hope to limit the level of research misconduct and promote research integrity in Africa.     

共词分析国内外生物信息学领域研究态势

生物信息学作为自然科学领域中多学科交叉的新兴学科,其发展研究得到了众多学者的关注。为了解生物信息学在国内外的研究态势,以CNKI中文数据库和Web of science外文数据库中生物信息学领域期刊论文为研究对象,利用R语言编程工具,文献计量和共词分析归纳了国内外生物信息学领域的研究现状、热点及趋势。结果表明:国内外生物信息学研究均处于高速发展期,文献量呈逐年增长趋势,研究领域也在不断拓宽;国内外研究热点均聚焦在基因挖掘、蛋白质结构与功能预测、miRNA分析等,但国内偏向于理论研究,而国际更注重其在疾病治疗、药物设计等方面的应用研究。     

对我国公立医院集团相关研究的文献分析

目的:对我国公立医院集团的相关研究进行文献分析,找出特点与重要结论进行归纳。方法:通过适宜的文献检索策略,在相关数据库获取合适的文献,根据文献研究的要求,对其进行分析汇总。结果:筛选确定18篇实证研究文献、3篇理论研究文献,并根据之前确定的文献分析方法分析其研究内容与结论,通过计量的方式总结目前实证研究的重点,同时通过归纳,总结目前理论研究的成果。结论:医疗机构外部环境、内部环境与合作条件是研究我国公立医院集团的几个最常见的因素。     

基于文献计量的青藏高原土壤呼吸研究进展

为了深入了解青藏高原土壤呼吸的研究现状与研究前沿,以中国知网数据库(CNKI)和Web of Science核心合集数据库中的相关文献为数据源,基于文献计量的分析方法,运用Citespace和VOSviewer等软件,通过对国内外发文趋势分析、高频关键词共现分析及国家、机构、作者合作网络分析等,总结了青藏高原土壤呼吸的研究热点与研究趋势。结果表明：(1)国内外青藏高原土壤呼吸的研究在逐年上升,外文研究的增长速率大于中文研究。(2)国内外关于青藏高原土壤呼吸的合作网络较为松散。(3)青藏高原土壤呼吸的研究大体划分为三个阶段：起步阶段(1978—2005年)、增长阶段(2006—2013年)、快速发展阶段(2014年—至今),研究方法、研究尺度都在不断发展。(4)目前土壤呼吸领域研究内容以青藏高原土壤呼吸与全球气候变化、氮添加与土壤呼吸、土壤呼吸与土壤温度、土壤呼吸与过度放牧为主。研究指出：在未来,应该加强对于青藏高原碳动态的连续观测,完善不同类型生态系统土壤呼吸研究。同时,探索放牧等生态系统管理措施对青藏高原土壤呼吸的影响机制。这些结果为国内外青藏高原土壤呼吸研究方向提供了可靠情报支持。     

A Framework to Link International Clinical Research to the Promotion of Justice in Global Health

How international research might contribute to justice in global health has not been substantively addressed by bioethics. Theories of justice from political philosophy establish obligations for parties from high‐income countries owed to parties from low and middle‐income countries. We have developed a new framework that is based on Jennifer Ruger's health capability paradigm to strengthen the link between international clinical research and justice in global health. The ‘research for health justice’ framework provides direction on three aspects of international clinical research: the research target, research capacity strengthening, and post‐trial benefits. It identifies the obligations of justice owed by national governments, research funders, research sponsors, and investigators to trial participants and host communities. These obligations vary from those currently articulated in international research ethics guidelines. Ethical requirements of a different kind are needed if international clinical research is to advance global health equity.     

旅游生态学研究体系

旅游生态学是一门新兴的应用性交叉学科,学科建立的时间短,学科体系发展有待完善.从学科体系研究入手,从学科的概念、研究领域、研究内容和研究方法等方面来探讨如何构建和完善旅游生态学研究体系.提出了旅游生态系统是旅游生态学研究的核心;旅游生态系统的组成、结构、功能和管理等是旅游生态学学科研究的主要支撑,是旅游生态学的重要研究内容;旅游野外研究方法、空间分析方法、旅游生态评价和旅游生态管理等方法为学科的主要研究方法.     

What research with stored samples teaches us about research with human subjects

There is widespread discussion concerning the safeguards appropriate for human research subjects. Less discussed is the fact that the safeguards one deems appropriate depend, in large part, on the model of research participation that one assumes. Therefore, to determine what safeguards are appropriate, it is necessary first to clarify the competing models of research participation. The ostensibly obscure debate over informed consent for research on stored biological samples is of particular interest in this regard because such research can involve varying subsets of the three central elements of research involvement. As a result, analysis of this debate provides an opportunity to identify the competing models of research participation. Based on this analysis, this paper describes a new model of research participation that is emerging, and considers its implications for clinical research.     

哺乳动物对气候变化响应的研究热点演变分析——基于动物学记录（Zoology Record）的文献计量分析

利用Thomson Data Analysis软件对Zoology Record数据库中收录的1942篇哺乳动物对气候变化响应领域的期刊论文做了重点分析。以关键词为核心分析了不同哺乳动物物种、不同地质年代的研究热点分布和研究热点演变,以及2001-2005年、2006-2010年、2011-2015年3个年代段中的研究热点的演变规律。结果显示：进入2000年以后,该领域文献呈现逐年递增;研究热点显示出了较强的物种相关性;不同地质年代对应的物种研究有细微变化;3个文献发表年代段的研究热点显示出了该领域的热点演变规律。     

中国可持续发展政策试点文献计量研究——以可持续发展实验区和可持续发展议程创新示范区为例

可持续发展实验区（以下简称"实验区"）是一项地方试点示范工作,倡导实验区基于自身特点设计实验主题,自行探索可持续发展的典型做法,依靠科技创新解决制约可持续发展的问题。作为可持续发展领域建设时间最长、覆盖规模最广、实验主题最为多样的政策试点,实验区已经积累了一定的研究,现有文献多集中于对发展理念的概念和框架探讨、可持续发展水平综合评估、区域发展耦合度和协调度计算、以及可持续发展投入产出效率差异等,为实验区理论研究和政策实践打下基础。为了系统梳理实验区研究的整体演进情况,为未来研究提供一个较为全面的参考,从文献计量的视角,对实验区和可持续发展议程创新示范区（以下简称"创新示范区"）为主题的研究进行科学知识图谱分析,厘清实验区研究的阶段性特点、研究领域、核心问题、前沿热点和科学合作网络结构,基于此提出未来可能的研究方向。研究结果表明实验区主题的发文量总体上呈波动趋势,研究者和研究机构的局部性合作较强;研究的核心问题始终围绕可持续发展在实验区的政策实践;研究前沿与宏观经济社会发展背景相呼应,其中可持续发展战略实施一直都是热点问题;经历了从可持续发展理念普及到可持续发展实践模式的历程。在可持续发展目标（SDGs）这一全球新形势下,为了更好地发挥实验区和创新示范区作为政策试点的作用,提出未来的研究方向：一是加强与SDGs研究的衔接;二是增加科技创新驱动可持续发展的研究;三是推进可持续发展典型问题和解决方案的系统研究。     

基于Web of Science的国际应用生态学研究进展

应用生态学是自然资源管理和生态环境保护最重要的科学技术工具之一.在当前自然资源短缺、环境污染严重、生态系统退化的严峻形势下,对国际应用生态学的理论基础、研究方法、研究热点进行分析,对夯实我国应用生态学的知识基础、指明研究方向、确定战略定位具有重要意义.本文基于文献计量学原理,借助CiteSpace、Carrot²等信息可视化软件,以Web of Science中1980—2018年国际应用生态学研究领域基于不同检索策略的两个文献数据集合为研究对象,从研究载体、研究力量及研究内容3个维度进行文献时空分布、核心研究力量、研究热点演进以及研究前沿及趋势分析,旨在揭示其学科发展轨迹、研究现状与发展趋势,以期为未来我国的应用生态学研究提供参考.     

A Brief History of Biomedical Research Ethics in Iran: Conflict of Paradigms

During the past two decades, Iran has experienced a noteworthy growth in its biomedical research sector. At the same time, ethical concerns and debates resulting from this burgeoning enterprise has led to increasing attention paid to biomedical ethics. In Iran, Biomedical research ethics and research oversight passed through major periods during the past decades, separated by a paradigm shift. Period 1, starting from the early 1970s, is characterized by research paternalism and complete reliance on researchers as virtuous and caring physicians. This approach was in concordance with the paternalistic clinical practice of physicians outside of research settings during the same period. Period 2, starting from the late 1990s, was partly due to revealing of ethical flaws that occurred in biomedical research in Iran. The regulatory and funding bodies concluded that it was not sufficient to rely solely on the personal and professional virtues of researchers to safeguard human subjects' rights and welfare. The necessity for independent oversight, emphasized by international declarations, became obvious and undeniable. This paradigm shift led to the establishment of research ethics committees throughout the country, the establishment of academic research centers focusing on medical ethics (MEHR) and the compilation of the first set of national ethical guidelines on biomedical research–one of the first and most important projects conducted by and in the MEHR. Although not yet arrived, ‘period 3’ is on its way. It is predictable from the obvious trends toward performance of high‐quality clinical research and the appearance of a highly educated new generation, especially among women.     

Moving from Rabies Research to Rabies Control: Lessons from India

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of effective interventions and public recognition of the severity of the problem, rabies continues to suffer neglect by programme planners in India and other low and middle income countries. We investigate whether this state of 'policy impasse' is due to, at least in part, the research community not catering to the information needs of the policy makers. METHODS #ENTITYSTARTX00026; FINDINGS: Our objective was to review the research output on rabies from India and examine its alignment with national policy priorities. A systematic literature review of all rabies research articles published from India between 2001 and 2011 was conducted. The distribution of conducted research was compared to the findings of an earlier research prioritization exercise. It was found that a total of 93 research articles were published from India since 2001, out of which 61% consisted of laboratory based studies focussing on rabies virus. Animals were the least studied group, comprising only 8% of the research output. One third of the articles were published in three journals focussing on vaccines and infectious disease epidemiology and the top 4 institutions (2 each from the animal and human health sectors) collectively produced 49% of the national research output. Biomedical research related to development of new interventions dominated the total output as opposed to the identified priority domains of socio-politic-economic research, basic epidemiological research and research to improve existing interventions. CONCLUSION: The paper highlights the gaps between rabies research and policy needs, and makes the case for developing a strategic research agenda that focusses on rabies control as an expected outcome.     

BENEFITS TO RESEARCH SUBJECTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRIALS: DO THEY REDUCE EXPLOITATION OR INCREASE UNDUE INDUCEMENT?

There is an alleged tension between undue inducement and exploitation in research trials. This paper considers claims that increasing the benefits to research subjects enrolled in international, externally‐sponsored clinical trials should be avoided on the grounds that it may result in the undue inducement of research subjects. It proceeds from the premise that there are good grounds for thinking that, at least some, international research sponsors exploit trial participants because they do not provide the research population with a fair share of the benefits of research. This provides a prima facie argument for increasing the benefits for research participants. Concern over undue inducement is a legitimate moral concern; however, if this concern is to prevent research populations from receiving their fair share of benefits from research there must be sufficient evidence that these benefits will unduly influence patients’ decision‐making regarding trial participation. This article contributes to the debate about exploitation versus undue inducement by introducing an analysis of the available empirical research into research participants’ motivations and the influence of payments on research subjects’ behaviour and risk assessment. Admittedly, the available research in this field is limited, but the research that has been conducted suggests that financial rewards do not distort research subjects’ behaviour or blind them to the risks involved with research. Therefore, I conclude that research sponsors should prioritise the prevention of exploitation in international research by providing greater benefits to research participants.