LAGOS- Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran of the West Africa Bioethics Training Center, University of Ibadan, said research ethics plays important role in the transformation of a society, saying it is germane and fundamental to human living.

Prof. Ogundiran said this during a retreat program organised for students of Center for Bioethics and Research recently in Lagos. He said conducting research with human beings poses some risk, hence the need for research ethics.

“Research is very important, but it is faced with some risks; research ethics today seeks to do research by minimizing the harms and maximizing the benefits”, he said.

The Bioethics Don said research ethicists are umpires that look at ways research can positively affect society and at also look at ways through which harms can be ameliorated. He said this brought about the formation of research ethics committees in major universities and research centers. According to him, members of the committee include: experienced scientists, bioethicists, philosophers, people representing a community, religious body, and gender.

Speaking earlier, the Director, Center for Bioethics and Research, Prof. Clement Adebamowo welcomed the students to the retreat program. He urged them not to stop improving themselves, saying there are a lot of opportunities in the field of bioethics of which research ethics is part of. “In bioethics, you will learn more about philosophy and research methods and ethics. These arecareas Nigerians are very poor at”, he said.