Ethical appraisal of a science research proposal Essay

Ethical appraisal of a science research proposal - Essay Example Blood samples will be collected from the volunteers for lymphocyte preparation and DNA extraction purposes. By collecting blood samples from volunteers who are receiving methadone replacement therapy, this study aims to determine the role of opioid receptors (i.e. ?, ? and ? ) that contributes to the mechanism of tolerance, drug resistance, and susceptibility to the drug. This study will benefit forensic toxicologists in enabling them offer a more meaningful interpretation of a blood drug concentration found in heroin abuse cases. This study will test the following hypothesis: (1) there is phenotypic inter-individual variation in the ability of UK population to maintain tolerance to heroin; (2) that this variation is a consequence of genetic polymorphism in opioid receptors; and (3) that individuals with specific genotypes have heightened sensitivity to modifying effects of methadone replacement therapy. ... To assess the contribution of methadone replacement in the patterns of opioid receptor expression, the researcher will re-measure the key receptor levels after the 6th week of methadone replacement period. Aside from identifying volunteers with responsive receptor to methadone replacement therapy, this approach will enable the researcher minimize the potential confounding effect of habitual lifestyle on phenotypically â€Å"high† and â€Å"low† expressers. Individuals with high or low levels of receptors and those with responsive phenotype will be classified under subgroups. Eventually, lymphocytes taken from the volunteers will be transformed using Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) to produce immortalized cell lines which will be use as a model system in studying the drug gene interactions that could modulate opiate receptor levels. Identification, Discussion of Ethical Issues, and Control of Ethical Issues Respect for Human Rights Among the common ethical issues that may happe n when conducting a scientific-based research study includes matters that are related to the well-being of another person. As a common rule when conducting the actual research study, the researcher should respect the rights of another person by allowing them to make their own decision whether or not to participate in this study (Iltis, 2006, p. 126; Gregory, 2003, p. 41). In line with this, Israel and Hay (2006, p. 96) explained that harm caused by research activities is often â€Å"more likely to involve psychological distress, discomfort, social disadvantage, invasion of privacy or infringement of rights more than physical injury†. Iltis (2006, p. 139) stated that â€Å"disrespect occurs when researchers violate