Webinar: Research Ethics: From Harm to Regulation
Let’s talk about the when, how, and why of scientific regulation
Every rule and guideline in research ethics represents a lesson learned. To apply ethics with integrity, knowing the regulations is not enough; it is essential to understand their origins, evolution, and true purpose.
This webinar offered an overview of the key historical foundations of research ethics regulation, with the aim of addressing fundamental questions about when, how, and why the standards that guide scientific practice today were established.
Expert Speaker
Eddys Rafael Mendoza, Director of the Ethics and Scientific Integrity Unit at Fundación Etikos.
Target Audience
Researchers, university faculty, students, scientific journal editors, ethics committee members, and academic administrators.
Event Details
- 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
- 🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Dominican Republic time)
- 💻 Format: Virtual
Activity Report
The webinar “Research Ethics: From Harm to Regulation,” organized by Fundación Etikos, focused on the historical evolution of research ethics and the main regulatory frameworks that guide current scientific practices.
The activity registered 36 participants, who demonstrated strong interest in the topic. Of the total number of registered participants, 25 were women and 11 were men.
The session addressed key historical milestones that led to the development of research ethics regulations, including cases of abuse and unethical practices that prompted the establishment of major international frameworks such as the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki.
The role of the Belmont Report was also highlighted in establishing fundamental principles for research involving human participants, including respect for persons and autonomy, beneficence, and justice. These principles are intended to protect the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of research participants.
Throughout the session, emphasis was placed on understanding ethics as an essential and cross-cutting component of research practice, rather than merely a matter of regulatory compliance. In this regard, the webinar promoted the importance of fostering an ongoing culture of ethics in both academic and professional settings.
The Global Health Network was also introduced as a key platform for research capacity strengthening, providing access to training opportunities and resources related to Good Clinical Practice, research ethics, and health research.
Key Learnings
The webinar provided an opportunity to deepen participants’ understanding of the relationship between historical events and the development of the standards that currently protect participants in scientific research. Key learnings included:
- Current ethical regulations are the result of lessons learned from historical experiences and the need to protect research participants.
- Understanding the origins of documents such as the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, and the Belmont Report helps clarify the purpose of ethical regulation.
- Research ethics should be integrated throughout the entire research process rather than being limited to compliance with formal requirements.
- Continuous training contributes to strengthening a culture of scientific integrity and responsibility.
- Platforms such as The Global Health Network facilitate access to resources and training opportunities that strengthen research capacities.
Outcomes Achieved
The activity strengthened participants’ knowledge of the historical evolution of research ethics and its relationship with contemporary regulatory frameworks.
Interest in the webinar was reflected in the achievement of the registration target, with 36 people registered. This result demonstrates the relevance of continuing to provide educational opportunities focused on ethics, scientific integrity, and responsible research.
The webinar also connected students, faculty members, researchers, and other professionals with training resources that can contribute to both their academic development and the strengthening of their professional practices.
Conclusion
The webinar reaffirmed the importance of understanding the history of research ethics in order to better comprehend the meaning and application of current scientific regulations. Beyond knowledge of regulations, the activity encouraged reflection on the responsibility of researchers and institutions to protect the rights, safety, well-being, and dignity of research participants.
The reach of the activity and the interest demonstrated by participants highlight the importance of continuing to provide these learning opportunities. Through initiatives such as this, Fundación Etikos reaffirms its commitment to strengthening capacities for responsible research and promoting a strong culture of ethics and scientific integrity in academic and professional settings.