Desperate Times: Protecting the Public From Research Without Consent or Oversight During Public Health Emergencies.

Beach, Mary Catherine; Lederman, Howard M; Singleton, Megan; Brower, Roy G; Carrese, Joseph; Ford, Daniel E; Hansoti, Bhakti; Hendrix, Craig W et al. · Ann Intern Med · 2020

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an unprecedented global research effort to better understand this virus and to identify promising treatments. In this essay, the authors note that defining activities as public health surveillance has important implications, because such activities do not require further ethical oversight, informed consent, or protections for vulnerable persons or communities.

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