Ethical Principles of Clinical and Translational Research

There are potential ethical pitfalls when performing clinical and translational research. The growing emphasis on evidence-based medicine and an understanding of basic ethical principles demands attention from the clinician scientist. Underlying principles such as respect for autonomy and considering the risk-benefit profile for each participant should remain the foundation when considering ethical issues in clinical research. Developing technology, the growth of large databases, and unanticipated health crises require ethical guidelines to be dynamic and continuously reviewed to adequately address potential ethical quandaries. Although there are various international guidelines in this area, there remains heterogeneity in their interpretation and application.