You are planning to conduct a study on the women’s attitudes
toward birth control in a developing nation. The population you are planning to
work with has a tribal governance structure: All research projects must be
approved by the tribal leaders. You present your proposed research project to
members of the tribe, describing the protocol and consent process. You plan to
conduct a medical history and physical exam on each woman. You will also
conduct a thirty-minute interview in which you ask them questions about their
sexual behavior and attitudes toward sex. Each woman will also receive tests
for HIV, chlamydia, herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases. The tribal
leaders give their tentative approval to the research with the understanding
that if the research subject is married, her husband must be present for the
consent process and interview. If she is not married, the leading male member
of her family, such as her father or grandfather, must be present. The
husband/leading male family member must also give his approval for the woman’s
participation in the study. You have some serious concerns about these
conditions, because you think that complying with them could bias your data and
compromise the ethical integrity of the project.
• Would it be ethical to conduct the research under the
conditions set forth by the tribal leaders?
• How should you discuss these issues with the tribal
leaders?
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