A decade of the Research Ethics Committee of Marcilio Dias Navy Hospital

its evolution and importance as a supporting tool in scientific research

Abstract

Scientific research protocols involving human beings generally face complex ethical dilemmas. From the philosophical point of view, the ethics is based on the Greek ideals of human actions fair play and equilibrium. This study aims to report on the first decadal experience and development of the Hospital Naval Marcílio Dias’ Ethics Steering Committee (CEP-HNMD, acronym in Portuguese), and the relevance of its team in guaranteeing and defending the interests of research participants with regards to their integrity and dignity. Thus here, an exploratory descriptive and documental methodology has been used. The historical record of the CEP working reactivation under the umbrella of the Ethics National Committee on Research (CONEP, acronym in Portuguese) in August 20, 2007 was used as the starting point from which this study is based on. The source for this work was based on data related to all received and evaluated protocols from the CEP-CONEP system during two pragmatic moments, which resulted from: the Ethical National System on Human Beings Research (SISNEP, acronym in Portuguese) that was effective until 2011; and the current Brazilian System Platform. During the last ten years of play role, the CEP-HNMD received and evaluated 391 projects and issued 1,437 endorsements. A diagnosis of the developed activities as a tool for valuing and stimulating the development of research production by more committed participants with the ethics and respect values demonstrates the legitimacy of the process. Furthermore, it promotes the institutional bioethical culture adapted to the social moment in which the research projects are enclosed. Keywords: Research Ethics Committee. Research. Naval Hospital Marcílio Dias. Ethics