Final answer:
The ethical dilemmas in research involving human subjects, considering informed consent and the use of de-identified specimens. Ethical guidelines ensure participant safety, consent, and animal welfare, addressing ethical practices in research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical considerations surrounding research involving human subjects and the use of biological specimens. Under current regulations, research with de-identified specimens is not categorized as human subjects research, circumventing certain ethical and consent protocols. This can cause a discrepancy between the informed consent language and how specimens are actually utilized, which raises ethical concerns.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established detailed guidelines for research involving both human and animal subjects, stressing that procedures must be ethical and respect participant consent and animal welfare. Informed consent is a crucial aspect, requiring comprehensive disclosure of a study's scope and inherent risks to potential participants who must provide written consent.
Moreover, safeguarding the welfare of animal subjects in research is emphasized, and special precautions must be taken due to the absence of animals' ability to consent. The core ethical principles include minimizing risks, respecting participant consent, and ensuring the dignity and humane treatment of all subjects.