Ethics in research
Freedom of science is an essential requirement for R&I to become a driver of economic and socio-cultural development. At the same time, to give greater value to research activities, researchers are required to operate in compliance with the ethical principles established by European, national and international law. The relationship between research and ethics raises complex questions, many of which are linked to the specificity of the scientific field in which one operates.
The European Commission has identified nine key issues that may raise ethical dilemmas and which must be examined by the evaluation bodies of the projects submitted. The evaluation bodies must therefore ensure that the rights of non-human animals used in experiments are recognised, monitor the use of human cells and tissues - in particular embryonic stem cells and embryos - and the involvement of human volunteers, with a special focus on personal data processing. The Commission also declares its new and renewed focus on the ethics of experiments with artificial intelligence, environmental rights, public health and safety.
UniTo has responded to the need to address ethical issues raised by research activity by establishing a special evaluation body (D.R. n. 6502 of 23/10/2008), the Bioethics Committee. The committee examines and formulates opinions on experiments conducted at University of Turin facilities, focusing in particular on:
- experiments on human embryonic stem cells
- scientific research in healthy human volunteers
- experiments on animals.
At the request of scientific managers, the Committee also issues opinions on moral questions that concern specific experimental protocols and research projects.
In addition, since many funding bodies, such as the European Commission, require an ethical self-assessment of the project presented, the staff of the “Area Promozione Ricerca e Innovazione” Unit provides information and support on these aspects right from the planning phase.