BIOMEDICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR HEALTH AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY OF THE RESEARCH PARTICIPANT IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Any approach to the systematization of the application of
principles and values tests the quality of group dynamics
which, by its very nature, consists in dissipating the pitfalls
that may arise during social interactions. The interconnections between researchers and participants in the scientific
inquiry process are necessary to transcend the areas of research
or interest in order to solve problems through interventions with positive and lasting impact. The behaviors of
research teams contribute to the emergence of trust and it
abounds with relevant, current and reliable data for action
and innovation. While information and communication
technologies facilitate researcher-participant relationships,
they are likely to expose more or less serious ethical risks.
Naturally, the researcher-participant relationships are
sacred and based on the mutual trust capital that is not
given once and for all. It is built and consolidated through
dialogue based on respect for human values: consent, dignity,
honor, probity, justice and equity. Therefore, the researcher’s
intellectual and moral capacities are fundamental as well
as the behaviors adopted before, during and after research.
As a result, any participant in biomedical research deserves
recognition and protection of rights, including compensation,
assistance, sharing of the benefits of research provided by
codes of ethics and other reference documents.
Thus, the responsibility to ensure the protection of human
rights including information, free participation and confidentiality of data in accordance with codes, declarations,
guidelines should be recognized and shared as well as the
obligation to provide essential contributions especially
the know, the know-how and the means. It is therefore
a constant learning that consolidates and perpetuates the
gains while stimulating contradictory debates towards the
manifestation of the tangible reality. The detestable, the
abuse and the unsustainable promises are prohibited in the
researcher-participant relationship. The preferable option
should be observed to ensure the comfort and safety of the
participant in a search.
Indeed, discerning the question of dignity in research in
the African context requires a systematic and participatory
analysis approach. In order to do this, while highlighting
the fact that reference documents are taken into account,
the question of respect for human dignity as a sacred value
or the application of the provisions published to this effect
underlines that the analysis of the one does not exclude
the other.
In complex contexts and changing the notion of dignity
crosses that of good and justice: a relationship respectful of
human dignity between research team and participants in
biomedical research is a mutually recognized and friendly
relationship that corresponds to what is good of say or do.
What matters here is the sincere collaborative character
where the risks and benefits of research are accepted and
shared. Thus, it is agreed that two opinions clash: for one,
dignity is an inalienable and transcendent value of which
man has no control; for the other, on the contrary, it is a
subjective notion of which the person is the only judge.
In sum of participants’ dignity and scientific integrity, a
better awareness of the challenges of developing the field
of bioethics during the investigation process is needed.
Universities, specialized research institutions, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and civil society
must play eminently important roles. This is so that quality
research progresses in spite of the difficult context and that
the research carried out is scientifically and ethically valid
as a result where the participants are treated with deference
in their dignity. The aim is to give priority to measures and actions that
reduce inequities and all forms of unworthiness, especially
for vulnerable groups such as the poor or destitute, children,
pregnant women, newborns and prisoners. the disabled,
patients especially Ebola survivors, the mentally ill and
those living with HIV, malaria, tuberculosis or chronic
diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer…