Research Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

This topic covers fundamental principles and challenges related to conflicts of interest in health research, a critical component of bioethics for Zambian tertiary students. It explores how secondary interests, particularly financial ones, can potentially distort professional judgment in research design, data interpretation, and patient safety. Using case studies like the Jesse Gelsinger gene therapy trial, students will examine the ethical, legal, and practical implications of undisclosed conflicts. The module addresses various types of conflicts—financial and non-financial—and outlines management strategies such as disclosure, prohibition, and institutional oversight. Understanding these issues is vital for aspiring researchers, IRB members, and health professionals in Zambia to uphold integrity, ensure participant safety, and maintain public trust in scientific inquiry, directly supporting ethical compliance in university research projects and future careers.