Current Sections: EthicsThe HRC makes available four Ethics Summer Studentships to be awarded each year. The purpose of the studentship is to enable a student to train during the summer break with a research team.
Three students were awarded Summer Studentships last year, 2008/2009. A description of their research topics as well as the student's final reports can be read below.
LUCY ELKIN - OTAGO ETHICS SUMMER STUDENTSHIP
Supervisor - Dr Neil Pickering, Department of Bioethics, University of Otago Dunedin
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Learning an ever-changing language: Medical students' knowledge and use of the language of intellectual disability Over the past century, there have been many changes to the words used in the field of intellectual disability (ID). Some words have become highly offensive to the New Zealand ID community but are still used overseas and in text books. We surveyed 34 medical students at the University of Otago and found that many would use these words to describe a patient. Students should be educated as to which terms are preferred by the ID community. This may promote terms not offensive to the New Zealand ID community and reduce a students' anxiety about term use or their risk of offending a patient. To read the full report click here. |
Supervisor - Professor Donald Evans, Department of Bioethics, University of Otago, Dunedin
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Cultural sensitivity and responsibility in research: Specifically an attempt in the context of insiders' experience of and perspectives on foreign (‘Western') research activities Recognising and working with cross-cultural differences in research is crucial when research extends beyond cultural and national borders. Failure to understand and recognise the differences in values, principles, cultures and rights of the study community “jeopardize[s] both the ethics and quality of the research”. Moreover, there is an ethical responsibility to “respect the values and interests of the community in research and, wherever possible, to protect the community from harm”. This project aims to discuss the importance of a well rounded ethical relationship between the research and participating host communities in cross-cultural research. Addressing cross-cultural differences is complex and there may be no absolute solutions available. However, tackling this complexity with an insider's understanding may reveal some useful insights to the problems. Hence, the project attempts to explore the main areas of concern and possible solutions from the perspective and experience of the host community. To read the full report click here. |
STACEY BROOM - MASSEY UNIVERSITY ETHICS SUMMER STUDENTSHIP
Supervisor - Dr Adriane Rini, School of History, Philosophy and Classics, Massey University, Palmerston North
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Ethical Issues Regarding Human Genetic Research: A New Zealand study New Zealand's unique ethnic diversity has implications for the way we go about addressing ethical considerations because, ultimately, those ethical considerations reflect societal values. The time is upon us when we ought to be investigating how ethical considerations regarding emerging genetic technology might best be addressed in our social context. The decisions we make should be governed not only by examples from other countries and cultures, but also by reflecting on what is good for us. We must ask the tough questions regarding human genetic engineering, and we must ask them before the technology surpasses our ethical thinking. Is it good to genetically enhance humans, or should we instead focus solely on the eradication of defects and disease? What are the ethical issues surrounding these types of genetic engineering? Is traditional ethics equipped to deal with problems stemming from new genetic technology? In my paper I explore these questions and related issues. To read the full report click here. |
The HRC Ethics Committee have reviewed and updated the topic areas for this year's Ethics Summer Studentship as follows:
• The storage and access of health research data
• Indigenous People and cultural responsibility in research
• Alternative, complementary and traditional medicine
• Any other significant topic in health ethics.
Letters regarding the details of this year's Ethics Summer Studentships will be distributed to Institutions in early July 2009. For more details on the upcoming Ethics Summer Studentships please contact Maren Frerichs, Research Ethics Coordinator: mfrerichs@hrc.govt.nz.
Last Updated : 17 August 2009 16:37:49.
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