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Public perceptions on Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) studies—a qualitative pilot study from South India
- Source :
- Monash Bioethics Review
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Research using Controlled Human Infection Models is yet to be attempted in India. This study was conducted to understand the perceptions of the lay public and key opinion makers prior to the possible introduction of such studies in the country. 110 respondents from urban and rural Bangalore district were interviewed using qualitative research methods of Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews. The data was analyzed using grounded theory. Safety was a key concern of the lay public, expressed in terms of fear of death. The notion of infecting a healthy volunteer, the possibility of continued effects beyond the study duration and the likelihood of vulnerable populations volunteering solely for monetary benefit, were ethical concerns. Public good outcomes such as effective treatments, targeted vaccines and prevention of diseases was necessary justification for such studies. However, the comprehension of this benefit was not clear among non-medical, non-technical respondents and suggestions to seek alternatives to CHIMs repeatedly arose. There was a great deal of deflection—with each constituency feeling that people other than themselves may be ideally suited as participants. Risk takers, those without dependents, the more health and research literate, financially sound and those with an altruistic bent of mind emerged as possible CHIM volunteers. While widespread awareness and advocacy about CHIM is essential, listening to plural voices is the first step in public engagement in ethically contentious areas. Continued engagement and inclusive deliberative processes are required to redeem the mistrust of the public in research and rebuild faith in regulatory systems.
- Subjects :
- media_common.quotation_subject
India
Pilot Projects
Challenge studies
0603 philosophy, ethics and religion
Grounded theory
Public engagement
Research ethics
03 medical and health sciences
Humans
Active listening
Qualitative Research
030304 developmental biology
media_common
Vaccines
0303 health sciences
CHIM
Human infection studies
business.industry
06 humanities and the arts
General Medicine
Public relations
Public good
Focus group
Public perceptions
Feeling
Research Design
Public Opinion
Original Article
060301 applied ethics
business
Psychology
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18366716 and 13212753
- Volume :
- 39
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Monash Bioethics Review
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ea3a04fac0d8fd95de2d8a67a9393fba