About research ethics

In Australia, any individual or organisation conducting research involving humans is required to consider the ethical aspects of their research.

The Cancer Council Victoria conducts research into many aspects of cancer and has a Human Research Ethics Committee which oversees the ethical aspects of this research.

Research projects are reviewed in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council. This can be viewed at www.nhmrc.gov.au/issues/researchethics.htm.

The Committee reviews research proposals (and amendments to approved proposals) to ensure that the participants will not be harmed in any wayÅ\physically, psychologically, spiritually or emotionally. ParticipantsÅf privacy and the confidentiality of information gathered are also key issues considered by the committee.

The progress of approved research proposals is also monitored by the Committee via annual progress reports from the researchers.

The Committee is made up of volunteer experts who cover the following categories:

• a chairperson
• two lay people, one man and one woman
• two researchers, with knowledge of research regularly considered by the HREC (an epidemiologist and a behavioural scientist)
• one medical, clinical or para-medical professional
• one minister of religion
• one lawyer

Read the brochure Doctors and research: when is it a conflict of interest?