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Hofmann B. Biases in bioethics: a narrative review. BMC Med Ethics 2023; 24:17. [PMID: 36879251 PMCID: PMC9990212 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Given that biases can distort bioethics work, it has received surprisingly little and fragmented attention compared to in other fields of research. This article provides an overview of potentially relevant biases in bioethics, such as cognitive biases, affective biases, imperatives, and moral biases. Special attention is given to moral biases, which are discussed in terms of (1) Framings, (2) Moral theory bias, (3) Analysis bias, (4) Argumentation bias, and (5) Decision bias. While the overview is not exhaustive and the taxonomy by no means is absolute, it provides initial guidance with respect to assessing the relevance of various biases for specific kinds of bioethics work. One reason why we should identify and address biases in bioethics is that it can help us assess and improve the quality of bioethics work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjørn Hofmann
- Institute for the Health Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), PO Box 191, 2801, Gjøvik, Norway. .,The Centre of Medical Ethics at the University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Dubljević V, Young JR, Appelbaum LG. Diversifying the Bioethics Funding Landscape: The Case of TMS. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2022; 22:28-30. [PMID: 34962196 PMCID: PMC9044470 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2021.2001106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan R. Young
- Duke University
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and
Clinical Center
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System
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Master Z, Werner K, Smith E, Resnik DB, Williams-Jones B. Conflicts of interest policies for authors, peer reviewers, and editors of bioethics journals. AJOB Empir Bioeth 2018; 9:194-205. [PMID: 30248000 PMCID: PMC6310149 DOI: 10.1080/23294515.2018.1510859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In biomedical research, there have been numerous scandals highlighting conflicts of interest (COIs) leading to significant bias in judgment and questionable practices. Academic institutions, journals, and funding agencies have developed and enforced policies to mitigate issues related to COI, especially surrounding financial interests. After a case of editorial COI in a prominent bioethics journal, there is concern that the same level of oversight regarding COIs in the biomedical sciences may not apply to the field of bioethics. In this study, we examined the availability and comprehensiveness of COI policies for authors, peer reviewers, and editors of bioethics journals. METHODS After developing a codebook, we analyzed the content of online COI policies of 63 bioethics journals, along with policy information provided by journal editors that was not publicly available. RESULTS Just over half of the bioethics journals had COI policies for authors (57%), and only 25% for peer reviewers and 19% for editors. There was significant variation among policies regarding definitions, the types of COIs described, the management mechanisms, and the consequences for noncompliance. Definitions and descriptions centered on financial COIs, followed by personal and professional relationships. Almost all COI policies required disclosure of interests for authors as the primary management mechanism. Very few journals outlined consequences for noncompliance with COI policies or provided additional resources. CONCLUSION Compared to other studies of biomedical journals, a much lower percentage of bioethics journals have COI policies and these vary substantially in content. The bioethics publishing community needs to develop robust policies for authors, peer reviewers, and editors and these should be made publicly available to enhance academic and public trust in bioethics scholarship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubin Master
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, W: 507-266-1105; Fax: 507-538-0850,
| | - Kelly Werner
- Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, Northwell Health, 276-01 76 Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040, W: 718-470-3204; Fax: 718-470-3935,
| | - Elise Smith
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Box 12233, Mail Drop E1 06, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27709,
| | - David B. Resnik
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Box 12233, Mail Drop E1 06, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27709, W: 919-541-5658; Fax: 919-541-9854,
| | - Bryn Williams-Jones
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada,
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Morrissey C, Walker RL. Funding and Forums for ELSI Research: Who (or What) is Setting the Agenda? AJOB PRIMARY RESEARCH 2012; 3:51-60. [PMID: 22888470 PMCID: PMC3413296 DOI: 10.1080/21507716.2012.678550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Discussion of the influence of money on bioethics research seems particularly salient in the context of research on the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of human genomics, as this research may be financially supported by the ELSI Research Program. Empirical evidence regarding the funding of ELSI research and where such research is disseminated, in relation to the specific topics of the research and methods used, can help to further discussions regarding the appropriate influence of specific institutions and institutional contexts on ELSI and other bioethics research agendas. METHODS: We reviewed 642 ELSI publications (appearing between 2003-2008) for reported sources of funding, forum for dissemination, empirical and non-empirical methods, and topic of investigation. RESULTS: Most ELSI research is independent of direct grant-based funding sources; 66% reported no such sources of funding. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is the most dominant source of funding; 16% of publications acknowledged at least one source of NHGRI grant funding. Funding is acknowledged more frequently in empirical than non-empirical publications, and more frequently in publications in public health journals than in any other ELSI research dissemination forums. Dominant research topics vary by publication forum and by reported funding. CONCLUSIONS: ELSI research is surprisingly independent of direct grant-based funding, yet correlations are apparent between this type of funding and publication placement, topics addressed, and methods used, implying a not insignificant influence on ELSI research agenda-setting. However, given the relatively low percentage of publications acknowledging external grant-based funding, as well as other significant correlations between publication placement and topics addressed, additional institutional contexts, perhaps related to professional advancement or valuation, may shape research agendas in ways that potentially exceed the direct influences of grant-based funding in this area. In some cases, grant-based funding may actually counter other potentially problematic institutional influences.
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Myers EF, Parrott JS, Cummins DS, Splett P. Funding source and research report quality in nutrition practice-related research. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28437. [PMID: 22163017 PMCID: PMC3232225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The source of funding is one of many possible causes of bias in scientific research. One method of detecting potential for bias is to evaluate the quality of research reports. Research exploring the relationship between funding source and nutrition-related research report quality is limited and in other disciplines the findings are mixed. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine whether types of funding sources of nutrition research are associated with differences in research report quality. DESIGN A retrospective study of research reporting quality, research design and funding source was conducted on 2539 peer reviewed research articles from the American Dietetic Association's Evidence Analysis Library® database. RESULTS Quality rating frequency distributions indicate 43.3% of research reports were rated as positive, 50.1% neutral, and 6.6% as negative. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that while both funding source and type of research design are significant predictors of quality ratings (χ2 = 118.99, p≤0.001), the model's usefulness in predicting overall research report quality is little better than chance. Compared to research reports with government funding, those not acknowledging any funding sources, followed by studies with University/hospital funding were more likely to receive neutral vs positive quality ratings, OR = 1.85, P <0.001 and OR = 1.54, P<0.001, respectively and those that did not report funding were more likely to receive negative quality ratings (OR = 4.97, P<0.001). After controlling for research design, industry funded research reports were no more likely to receive a neutral or negative quality rating than those funded by government sources. CONCLUSION Research report quality cannot be accurately predicted from the funding source after controlling for research design. Continued vigilance to evaluate the quality of all research regardless of the funding source and to further understand other factors that affect quality ratings are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther F Myers
- Research and Strategic Business Development, American Dietetic Association, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
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Sharp RR, Landy DC. The financing of clinical genetics research by disease advocacy organizations: A review of funding disclosures in biomedical journals. Am J Med Genet A 2011; 152A:3051-6. [PMID: 21077206 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Anecdotal reports suggest that disease-advocacy groups (DAOs) participate in multiple aspects of clinical research. No systemic analysis of the extent of DAO involvement in clinical genetics research has been conducted to date. We conducted a systematic review of journal articles published in 2004 and 2005 reporting clinical research on 50 genetic diseases to assess the extent to which DAOs financed the studies reported, assisted in subject recruitment, or participated in other aspects of research. Of 513 articles, 350 (68%) included a statement regarding research support. Of these articles, 114 (33%) acknowledged DAO funding. The proportion of articles reporting financial support from a DAO varied greatly by disease. Articles reporting financial support from a DAO often identified at least one additional source of support (73%). Of the articles examined, 19 (4%) acknowledged DAO assistance with subject recruitment and 11 (2%) included an author affiliated with a DAO. DAOs provide financial support for numerous clinical research studies in genetics, often in partnership with government agencies and for-profit corporations. DAOs also participate in other aspects of clinical research, including subject recruitment. Future studies should seek to characterize these research partnerships more fully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard R Sharp
- Department of Bioethics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
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Rennie S, Mupenda B. Living apart together: reflections on bioethics, global inequality and social justice. Philos Ethics Humanit Med 2008; 3:25. [PMID: 19061520 PMCID: PMC2613380 DOI: 10.1186/1747-5341-3-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2008] [Accepted: 12/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant inequalities in health between and within countries have been measured over the past decades. Although these inequalities, as well as attempts to improve sub-standard health, raise profound issues of social justice and the right to health, those working in the field of bioethics have historically tended to devote greater attention to ethical issues raised by new, cutting-edge biotechnologies such as life-support cessation, genomics, stem cell research or face transplantation. This suggests that bioethics research and scholarship may revolve around issues that, while fascinating and important, currently affect only a small minority of the world's population. In this article, we examine the accusation that bioethics is largely dominated by Anglophone and industrialized world interests, and explore what kinds of positive contributions a 'bioethics from below' (as Paul Farmer calls it) can make to the field of bioethics in general. As our guide in this exploration, we make use of some experiences and lessons learned in our collaborative bioethics project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Building Bioethics Capacity and Justice in Health. We conclude that while there is some evidence of increased attention to bioethical challenges in developing countries, this development should be further cultivated, because it could help expand the horizons of the field and enhance its social relevance wherever it is practiced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Rennie
- Departments of Dental Ecology, Social Medicine and Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bavon Mupenda
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Bioéthique pour L'Afrique Francophone (CIBAF), Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Epstein M. 'Tell us what you want to do, and we'll tell you how to do it ethically'--academic bioethics: routinely ideological and occasionally corrupt. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2008; 8:63-65. [PMID: 18802871 DOI: 10.1080/15265160802317990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miran Epstein
- Academic Unit for Human Science and Medical Ethics, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, QueenMary, University of London, 2 Newark St., London E12AT, United Kingdom.
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De Vries RG, Keirns CC. Does money make bioethics go 'round? THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2008; 8:65-67. [PMID: 18802872 PMCID: PMC2712296 DOI: 10.1080/15265160802342931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond G. De Vries
- Bioethics Program, University of Michigan, 300 North Ingalls Street, Rm 7C27, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, tel: 734-936-5222, fax: 734-936-8944,
| | - Carla C. Keirns
- University of Michigan, 6312 Medical Science Building 1, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-5604, voice 734-647-4844, fax 734-647-3301,
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Evans JH. In search of a measure of industry funding. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2008; 8:59-60. [PMID: 18802868 DOI: 10.1080/15265160802318006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John H Evans
- Department of Sociology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0533, USA.
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Magnus D. The green revolution in bioethics. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2008; 8:1-2. [PMID: 18802846 DOI: 10.1080/15265160802424135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Resnik
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Mail Drop NH 06, Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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