Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorHeathfield, Laura J
dc.contributor.authorMaistry, Sairita
dc.contributor.authorMartin, Lorna J
dc.contributor.authorRamesar, Raj
dc.contributor.authorde Vries, Jantina
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T06:54:41Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T06:54:41Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. MAIN BODY: This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. CONCLUSION: It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa.
dc.identifier.apacitationHeathfield, L. J., Maistry, S., Martin, L. J., Ramesar, R., & de Vries, J. (2017). Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa. <i>BMC Medical Ethics</i>, 18(1), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHeathfield, Laura J, Sairita Maistry, Lorna J Martin, Raj Ramesar, and Jantina de Vries "Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa." <i>BMC Medical Ethics</i> 18, 1. (2017): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHeathfield, L.J., Maistry, S., Martin, L.J., Ramesar, R. & de Vries, J. 2017. Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa. <i>BMC Medical Ethics.</i> 18(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1472-6939
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Heathfield, Laura J AU - Maistry, Sairita AU - Martin, Lorna J AU - Ramesar, Raj AU - de Vries, Jantina AB - BACKGROUND: The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. MAIN BODY: This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. CONCLUSION: It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa. DA - 2017 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - BMC Medical Ethics LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2017 SM - 1472-6939 T1 - Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa TI - Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHeathfield LJ, Maistry S, Martin LJ, Ramesar R, de Vries J. Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Medical Ethics. 2017;18(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34312.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Pathology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceBMC Medical Ethics
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume18
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6
dc.subject.otherBiomedical
dc.subject.otherForensic
dc.subject.otherMedico-legal
dc.subject.otherNext of kin
dc.subject.otherPost-mortem
dc.subject.otherResearch ethics
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherSudden unexpected death of infants
dc.subject.otherSuicide
dc.subject.otherVulnerable group
dc.titleEthical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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