Understanding Researchers' Views on Societal and Ethical Considerations in the Life Sciences
Recent PublicationsAs research on fundamental biological processes moves forward, more questions are raised about ethical, legal, social and policy issues, which challenge society's views and existing regulatory structures. In order to address these issues, CIRGE has developed a new service, the Benchside Ethics Consultation Service (BECS), to collaboratively resolve researchers' questions. To better inform the development of this service we conducted a pilot survey, which illustrated the need for further research. We therefore decided to use a multi-method approach to explore how and what scientists think about the societal and ethical considerations related to life science research. We used the results of phone interviews and focus groups to develop a multi-institutional national survey. The data from these studies will facilitate strategies to strengthen the relationship between science and biomedical ethics.
Recent Publications
Cho M.K., Tobin S.L., Greely H.T., McCormick J., Boyce A. and D. Magnus. Research ethics consultation: the Stanford experience. IRB: Ethics & Human Research, 2008. 30(6):1-6.
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Cho M.K., Tobin S.L., Greely H.T., McCormick J., Boyce A. and D. Magnus. Response to open peer commentaries on "Strangers at the benchside: research ethics consultation." Am J Bioeth, 2008. 8:4-6.
Cho M.K., Tobin S.L., Greely H.T., McCormick J., Boyce A. and D. Magnus. Strangers at the benchside: research ethics consultation. Am J Bioeth, 2008. 8(3): 4-13.
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McCormick J.B., Boyce A.M. and M.K. Cho. Biomedical scientists' perceptions of ethical and social implications: is there a role for research ethics consultation? PLoS ONE, 2009. 4(3): e4659.
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Recent Presentations
Boyce A., McCormick J. and M. Cho. Beyond the nature-nurture debate: bioethics and the integration of knowledges, in Translating Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genomic Research. 2008: Cleveland, OH.
Cho M.K. The Benchside Ethics Consultation Service: A model of un-governance for genomic research, in Ontario Genome Institute and University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. 2008: Toronto, Canada. (Invited Presentation).
Cho M.K. Ethics in action: models for oversight, in Wellcome Trust. 2008: London, UK. (Invited Presentation).
McCormick J., Boyce A. and M.K. Cho. Ethical, societal, and policy implications of research: Do geneticists’ views differ from other scientists?, in American Society of Human Genetics 58th annual meeting. 2008: Philadelphia, PA.
McCormick J., Boyce A. and M. Cho. Geneticists' views of the societal and ethical implications of research, in Translating Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genomic Research. 2008: Cleveland, OH.
McCormick J., Boyce A. and M. Cho. Geneticists' views of the societal and ethical implications of research: results from a national survey, in American Society of Human Genetics 57th annual meeting. 2007: San Diego, CA.
McCormick J., Boyce A., Garg R. and M.K. Cho. Societal and ethical considerations in life science research: in the eyes of scientists, in American Society of Human Genetics 56th annual meeting. 2006: New Orleans, LA.
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Project Directors and Members
Jennifer McCormick, PhD, MPP
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Ethics and Associate Consultant
Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine
Former CIRGE Postdoctoral Fellow
Angie Boyce
Doctoral Candidate in the Department of
Science and Technology Studies
Cornell University
Former CIRGE Program Manager
Jennifer Ladd
CIRGE Program Manager
Martine Lappé
CIRGE Graduate Research Assistant
Doctoral Candidate in Sociology, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
University of California, San Francisco
Mildred Cho, PhD
CIRGE PI
SCBE Associate Director
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