Question

The dynamics of how a new virus transmits through human populations are not well understood. One theory is that it is being transmitted from human to human through exposure to mosquitoes at workplaces. If this proves to be true, installing mosquito nets at workplaces would provide employees with sufficient protection against the new virus. The scientific evidence does not yet indicate whether this hypothesis is correct. During an epidemic in a foreign country, a Canadian researcher working under the auspices of an institution eligible for Agency funding proposes a research protocol that aims to test this hypothesis. The methodology essentially consists of recruiting employees working for different employers, randomly assigning them to Group A (using mosquito nets) or Group B (control group not using mosquito nets), and assessing the relative effectiveness of mosquito nets by observing the incidence of the virus in these two groups.

In order to facilitate the consent process, the researcher plans to exclude all employees who are minors and may need parental consent to participate. Based on the provided reason, would the exclusion of this group from the study be ethically acceptable?

Answer 1

It can be ethically acceptable to exclude minors from a study when parental consent presents logistical challenges and the inclusion of minors is not crucial to the research. Mosquito nets serve as a protection against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, like malaria, by reducing contact with these vectors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of ethically excluding minors from a study due to the complexities of obtaining parental consent is a challenging one. In regards to a research protocol that aims to assess the effectiveness of mosquito nets in preventing the transmission of a virus, the exclusion of employees who are minors can be ethically acceptable if the research presents more than minimal risk and the involvement of minors is not essential to the study objectives.

In such cases, the burdens associated with obtaining parental consent might outweigh the benefits of including minors, especially during an urgent public health investigation.

Mosquito nets are a protective measure against mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and potentially other viruses. By creating a physical barrier, they drastically reduce the risk of mosquito bites, especially during times when mosquitoes are most active. This method is part of a broader approach to prevent infectious diseases, which also includes vaccines, insect repellents, and eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes breed.