Ethics in action

The CIHR Ethics Office has developed and contributed to several projects and policies, including:

• Minimal Consent for Clinical Research (2023)

  The CIHR Ethics Office and the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group are collaborating on a project intended to draft the Minimal Consent for Clinical Research. The objective of this Minimal Consent Project is to offer a pan-Canadian minimal requirements research consent template that, along with the additional required elements for submission of a complete research package, can be used by TCPS-compliant research ethics boards to document the informed consent process thus facilitating the harmonization of ethics review of clinical studies.

• WHO Global Guidance Framework for the Responsible use of the Life Sciences (2022)

  CIHR, through its Ethics Office, participated in the expert working groups that developed and drafted the Global guidance framework for the responsible use of life sciences: Mitigating biorisks and governing dual-use research, thereby contributing to the global effort to curb irresponsible or dubious use of innovative life sciences.

  The framework establishes a global standard for the responsible use of the life sciences and may be useful to Canadian researchers working in Canada or abroad. The Ethics Office's involvement in developing the guidance document is part of the efforts to achieve CIHR's Strategic Plan 2021-2031 multi-year commitment to advance ethics of health research as a key component of research excellence, and pursuing health equity by driving progress in global health research. This engagement also highlights progress in the implementation of CIHR's Framework for Action on Global Health Research 2021-2026.

• Minimum Consent for Genomic Research in Canada (2022)

  Developing standard approaches to data collection (where appropriate) can reduce bureaucratic burdens by making the minimum requirements explicit, and can facilitate development of common material for consultation, education and training. One important tool is a standardized core set of consent elements for human genomics research in Canada.

  The purpose of this guidance for policy is to present a core set of elements for participant consent documents to be used in local human genome–based research projects across Canada and to support the development of the national pan-Canadian Human Genome Library. These core elements can be also used as a research ethics tool when evaluating human genome–based research projects.

• CIHR Ethics Guidance for Developing Partnerships with Patients and Researchers (2020)

  This guidance focuses on ethical concerns that need to be addressed to maintain trust in research partnerships across the research life course. It is designed to help researchers and patients develop research partnerships in the design or conduct of research – a process known as patient-engaged research. This kind of research is similar to community-engaged participatory research; however, patient-engaged research also brings the living or lived experiences of patients to the research activity.

• Human Germline Gene Editing: Points to Consider from a Canadian Perspective (2016)

  This document outlines points to consider about human germline gene editing and the applications of gene editing technologies in human embryos in the Canadian context. Gene editing in human germline cells is prohibited under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. These points to consider are designed to inform future discussions in this area for research, teaching, and outreach.

• Ethics of Health Research Involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People (2007 – 2010)

  These guidelines were prepared by the Ethics Office in collaboration with CIHR's Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health in 2007 to assist researchers and institutions in carrying out ethical and culturally safe research involving Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) Peoples, wherever they reside. The guidelines promote health through research that is in keeping with Indigenous values and ethics review that enables and facilitates rather than suppresses or obstructs research. They also support development of research partnerships that facilitate and encourage mutually beneficial, meaningful and culturally safe research.

  These guidelines are applicable to researchers carrying out research to which CIHR has made a financial contribution. The reader should note that these guidelines are not regulations, nor are they meant to be of general application. Rather, they are guidelines that should be followed by anyone who carries out research involving Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The obligation on the researcher to abide by the guidelines is contractual, i.e. it is voluntarily assumed by the researcher in return for the funding provided by CIHR.

  As these guidelines primarily address the special considerations that arise when carrying out research involving Indigenous Peoples, researchers must also refer to, and comply with, other Tri-Council and CIHR policies, as well as any applicable legislation and, for those to whom it applies, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Other agencies of government may impose additional regulatory or other requirements.

• CIHR Best Practices for Protecting Privacy in Health Research (2005)

  The Privacy Best Practices were intended to provide guidance for the health research community in Canada on the application of fair information principles to research involving personal information. It may serve to assist in the interpretation of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022) by offering additional detail and practicality.

• Final Report of the National Placebo working Committee on The Appropriate Use of Placebos in Clinical Trials in Canada (2004)

  The report provides concrete recommendations which would inform revision and harmonization of the regulatory framework regarding the appropriate use of placebos in clinical trials in Canada.

Date modified:

2023-10-27