ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The phrase “research ethics” conjures up a set of concerns which is now largely taken for granted. It invokes a language, and a related set of questions, that mainly clusters around the treatment of research subjects. Are we treating such people with dignity and ensuring that their rights are fully respected? Is any data collected kept confidential? Is the anonymity of the research subject respected? In biomedical research this implies a duty not to harm someone who has agreed to participate in a study. In all forms of research involving humans one might ask whether there is “informed” consent. In other words, does the research subject really understand what they are letting themselves in for?
