Nyapadi T J
Department of Procedural Law, University of Zimbabwe.
Cent Afr J Med. 1995 Mar;41(3):73-6.
The main thrust of this article is to examine critically the laws and ethics governing medical research in this country--Zimbabwe. The article is divided into two parts. The first part starts with an introduction which highlights the need for medical research and the hazards related thereto. This is followed by stating the general legal position aimed at controlling medical research, the emphasis being on law, the international codes of medical ethics intended to fill the wide gaps not covered by our legislations and individual ethical considerations. The other topics covered in the first part include confidentiality in research and compensation for those who suffer injuries while undergoing a clinical trial. The second part covers the following topics; informed consent, stressing on the need for informed consent from both adults and children when carrying out medical research; embryo research and researchers carried out by n'angas and finally the conclusion suggesting the need to re-examine laws relating to medical research in this country which seem to be wholly inadequate. In brief the article is intended to stimulate more public debate on the law relating to medical research. For example a question is often asked: Does the law adequately protect those who carry out medical research and conversely those upon whom medical research (or clinical trials) is done?
