title: Research ethics in The Union: an 8-year review of the Ethics Advisory Group.
abstract: METHODS
  The Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) was established in 2004 to provide ethical guidance and promote ethical standards within The Union, including reviews of proposed research projects associated with The Union.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe research proposal reviews conducted by the EAG in the period 2005-2012 in terms of 1) annual numbers, 2) the Union departments in which the proposals originated, 3) study designs, 4) regions and countries where studies were to be conducted, 5) study topics, 6) problems encountered by the EAG, and 7) review outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study of application records of the EAG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 292 applications were reviewed; 79% were proposals for operational research; 85% were from Africa and Asia, with 64% from India, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Tuberculosis was the topic in 68%; only three studies in the 8 years were on other lung diseases. Several problems encountered are highlighted. All applications were approved except six, either immediately or after modification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposal review process of the EAG serves to maintain ethical standards of research within The Union. Ideas for expanding the scope of the EAG are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Edginton
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ornstein
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denholm
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Sony
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narain
authors.affiliation: Ethics Advisory Group, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Brien
keywords: The Union; ethics; research