The ethics of informed consent among storyteller cultures

The protection of the rights of people from research risks is a primary reason for obtaining informed consent from a potential volunteer. The procedure followed in the United States utilizes a standardized ethical code. Its basic principles are set forth in the Belmont Report, which serves as the basis for the regulations regarding informed consent contained in 45 CFR 46, The Protection of Human Subjects. However, this standardized approach may be inappropriate for use with peoples who have a different ethical perspective or moral outlook on life. This paper presents an alternative approach to the issue of informed consent of people to be participants in research. The ethic is examined as a narrative consisting of a dialogue between the inquirer and the participant in the research process. A story evolves that is the ethic, and this involves a dynamic, ongoing process that continues for the duration of the inquiry. These issues are addressed from a philosophical and an applied perspective. The applicability of this approach to research and interventions among indigenous northern peoples is discussed.