Research in many cases touches on human subjects to collect data. This means that human subjects are the major focus of research, and they require protection. The article by Morris & Morris (2016) discusses the importance of virtue ethics in Institutional Review Boards (IRB). Virtue ethics are focused on the individual characters and their ability to recognize ethical dilemmas (Morris & Morris, 2016). The paper is of the view that developing virtue ethics will ensure that human subjects are protected in a better way by the review boards. The article also outlines that virtue ethics will be useful to the IRB as it will help them in adjudicating and interpreting research claims. Research oversights that are focused on virtue ethics will be best placed to handle the emerging challenges in the use of human subjects.
Summary of Steps Leading to Conclusion
The article is based on the theoretical background that virtue ethics are important in addressing the current ethical challenges that exist in review boards. The ethical problems are complex and require a framework that takes into account different aspects. Virtue ethics is of the view that resolution of the challenges is dependent on the character of the people making the decisions (Morris & Morris, 2016). Virtue ethics are supposed to enable people to see good in others and gain fulfillment from living their life virtuously.
The research identifies that there is a current deficit in addressing ethical issues in the review systems of the United States. The main purpose of the study is to provide an effective mechanism with which IRBs can use to address ethical issues. The board is tasked with evaluating whether human subjects will face any risk or whether there are potential benefits with the use of the human subjects.
The article outlines that the structure of the IRB should be changed to handle the emerging challenges. Another aspect is that the board members should be retrained on virtue ethics. This is because by using virtue ethics, they can determine the best options without favoritism. The other issue is that IRBs should avoid the overregulation of research practices. Setting a minimum legal and ethical standard is crucial in protecting human subjects. This is the central role of IRBs and should guide their decision-making.
The study concludes that research ethics are continuously evolving. This creates challenges that the IRB has to face and solve. Excellence in research oversight is essential and can only be achieved when the IRB leadership attains pertinent virtues. The members of the board should have the freedom to apply these virtues during the regulation of research (Morris & Morris, 2016). The authors conclude that research oversight programs that use virtue ethics will be best placed to handle the emerging challenges.
Critical Evaluation
The article provides the theoretical position and expounds on virtue ethics and their importance. The study details out the problems in the IRB structure that should be changed to deal with the issues that limit research. The paper is well structured and easy to read, which is essential in research. The authors provide the purpose of their research and describe the changes needed to enhance the review board system. The method is chosen by the researcher borders on a discussion of the topic with the view of providing recommendations on the changes that should be made. The article does not provide a review of literature on the topic but outlines the deficit that has prompted the development of the study.
Reference
Morris, M. C., & Morris, J. Z. (2016). The importance of virtue ethics in the IRB. Research Ethics, 12(4), 201-216. Web.