FIMA Year Book 2009 - Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Ethics of Clinical Researchin agreement with Islamic principles.The ethical review committee is ineffect giving testimony. For such tobe Islamically acceptable, it must bemade by a neutral party. To satisfy therequirement of validity of testimony,any material or nonmaterial rewardsfor the committees should not becontingent on the outcome of thereview (testimony).Guideline 3. Externally SponsoredResearchIn case the research is externallysponsored, i.e. by an institution oran industrial or drug company fromanother country, the scientific andethical review should be conductedobjectively, independently and honestlyin the country of the sponsoringorganization. This is to guaranteethat the standard ethical controlsare applied. These should not be lessstringent when applied in another,possibly less-developed country, thanthe controls normally applied in thecountry of the sponsoring organization,as all members of the human raceshould be treated equally. Equity for allpeople is a basic tenet of Islam. Allah(SWT) says:“O mankind reverence yourGuardian Lord who created youfrom a single person”. (29)In addition, another ethical reviewshould be conducted in the hostcountry to make sure that the proposedresearch meets the health needs andpriorities of that country. One of thepurposes of Islamic law is “To placeeverything in its right place [on the listof priorities]” (20)Guideline 4. Individual Informed ConsentThis guideline stipulates that theinvestigator must obtain a voluntaryinformed consent from eachprospective study subject. This is inconformity with Islamic law that callsfor respect of the independence ofevery individual, his right to make hispersonal choices and arrive at decisionssuitable for him, without any trace ofcoercion or deception, and his right tobe protected from injury, misleadinginducement, or exploitation by othersThe consent should be given willinglyafter the subject, if fully competent,receives and understands the necessaryinformation. This is stipulated in thefiqh rule, “No one is entitled to disposeof the rights of a human being withouthis permission” and “no right of ahuman being can be cancelled withouthis consent.” (20) The informationshould be given in a written format ina language easily understood by theindividual, and the consent should bedocumented.Guideline 5. Essential Informationfor Prospective ParticipantsThis guideline details the necessaryinformation that should be given tothe potential subjects for the research.The informed consent should begiven with full knowledge and correctunderstanding, on the part of thesubject of the content of his consent.FIMA YearBook 2009143