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

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.accessioned2017-12-04T11:14:38Z
dc.date.available2017-12-04T11:14:38Z
dc.date.issued2017-11-29
dc.date.updated2017-12-03T04:22:07Z
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>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26442en_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> (2017) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26442en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationEthical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected postmortem in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Medical Ethics. 2017 Nov 29;18(1):66
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 - 2017-11-29 DB - OpenUCT DO - 10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6 DP - University of Cape Town J1 - BMC Medical Ethics LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2017 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/11427/26442 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12910-017-0225-6
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/26442
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; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26442.en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBioMed Central
dc.publisher.departmentDivision of Forensic Medicine and Toxicologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s).
dc.sourceBMC Medical Ethics
dc.source.urihttps://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/
dc.subject.otherVulnerable group
dc.subject.otherNext of kin
dc.subject.otherSudden unexpected death of infants
dc.subject.otherSuicide
dc.subject.otherForensic
dc.subject.otherPost-mortem
dc.subject.otherMedico-legal
dc.subject.otherBiomedical
dc.subject.otherResearch ethics
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.titleEthical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
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