Ethical issues in HIV research in poor countries.
OBJECTIVE
To increase awareness of the potential for conducting unethical research in poor nations in the name of scientific inquiry, and to enumerate ethical questions in HIV/AIDS research.


METHODS
Principles of ethics and ethical analysis in clinical research. SOURCES AND METHODS: Review of literature on ethical principles of research in developing nations.


RESULTS
People who participate in clinical trials in poor countries often do so because that may be the only way to gain access to health care. However, access to tested drugs beyond clinical trials is not guaranteed. Participants often do not understand the consequences of being research subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Conducting research in poor nations requires recognition of ethical issues and maintenance of ethical standards, regardless of material wealth of the countries. Ethical standards also indicate including people from the target population in decisions relating to designing and conducting clinical trials.
Mabunda
G
G
School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville 62026-1066, USA. gmabund@siue.edu
D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D003657:Decision Making; D003906:Developing Countries; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011203:Poverty; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards*