A REVIEW OF COMPILING AND RATIFICATION OF ETHICAL GUIDELINE FOR ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANTATION RESEARCH IN IRAN

Introduction: Historical evidences of non-observance of human rights in research participants have led to special attention to research ethics and providing international ethical guidelines in this field in recent decades. Also, in some countries, national ethical rules and guidelines have been compiled according to their socio-cultural and religious beliefs. In this way, we established Specific Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research in our country, as a national obligation.Methods: The Guidelines were compiled as a common project by the “Medical Ethics Research Centre” and the “Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre” of Tehran University of Medical sciences in 2005. This project supported by “Deputy of research and technology of health ministry”. In different steps of the project, the primary draft has been reviewed by some law, ethics, medical and religious experts. Results: The Guidelines consist of: Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Trial, Ethical Guidelines for Research on Minors, Ethical Guidelines for Genetic Research, Ethical Guidelines for Gamete and Embryo research, Ethical Guidelines for Organ and Tissue Transplantation Research, and Ethical Guidelines for Research on Animals. We aimed to review different steps of compiling and ratification of the Ethical Guidelines for Transplantation Research. Currently, the Guidelines were communicated to Universities and research centers, after ratification by Policy-making Council of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Conclusion: Compiling the mentioned guidelines, in these steps, is unique in the region, but with no doubt, conducting the guidelines and protection of research participants is more important. Achieving this goal needs continuous supervision and strengthening research ethics committees all over the country