PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ETHICS

Pandemic and public health emergencies more broadly—both local and global—intensify the ethical considerations and the broader ethical landscape in which researchers and ethical review committees operate. Research in emergency environments is important as it supports the creation of evidence for dealing with the immediate needs of a response as well as creating knowledge to enable better future responses to similar emergencies. Emergencies significantly alter the broader risk environment when compared to research commenced prior to the onset of the emergency. Fundamental factors underlying ethical research that may require adapting in an emergency are examined, including: The responsible sharing of data; the development of local systems of research governance; culturally appropriate mechanisms of consent for future use; development of ‘access committees’ overseeing the prioritisation of who accesses data or samples; and ensuring regular feedback to local communities about research activity and results. The key issues considered include: The impact of a changing risk environment, how the ethical decision-making process sits within a broader whole-of-society decision-making process and the importance of communication, and ethical challenges specifically arising in health emergency situations.