Dhai A
Bioethics, Medical Law and Research Ethics, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
S Afr Med J. 2005 Aug;95(8):595-7.
The global proliferation of medical research has imposed a huge responsibility on research ethics committees (RECs). While South Africa has a climate conducive to serious growth in research, it is also home to a large number of vulnerable groups of poor populations. The potential for misuse of power in research cannot be ignored. Stipulations within the National Health Act now make the ethical practice of research a statutory requirement in South Africa. Commitment to REC support by institutions will be reflective of their commitment to ethical research. However currently RECs are overworked and understaffed. Regrettably, protecting participants in research has not kept pace with the rapid increase of research in the country.
医学研究在全球范围内的扩散给研究伦理委员会（RECs）带来了巨大的责任。虽然南非拥有有利于研究蓬勃发展的环境，但该国也有大量贫困弱势群体。研究中权力滥用的可能性不容忽视。《国家卫生法》中的规定现已使研究的伦理实践成为南非的一项法定要求。各机构对伦理委员会支持的承诺将反映出它们对伦理研究的承诺。然而，目前伦理委员会工作负担过重且人员不足。遗憾的是，保护研究参与者的工作未能跟上该国研究快速增长的步伐。
