Bioethicists' Perspectives on Ethical Research: Results of the "Views in Bioethics Survey"

Health research plays a crucial role in advancing medicine and public health, but ethical constraints shape its conduct. This study presents findings from the Views in Bioethics Survey (VIBeS), the first large-scale systematic survey of bioethicists in the United States, which aimed to assess perspectives on key research ethics issues. We surveyed 824 bioethicists on topics including human challenge trials, research without explicit consent, financial incentives for participation, local standards of care, and the publication of high-risk research. Our findings reveal areas of consensus-such as broad opposition to publishing instructions for creating pandemic-capable viruses-as well as areas of division, particularly concerning the permissibility of local standards of care in low-income countries and research participation restrictions for pregnant adults. Subgroup analyses indicate that views on specific ethical issues are associated with factors such as disciplinary background, gender, and broader normative views. These findings may inform research policy decisions, institutional guidelines, public discourse, and further research regarding the ethics of research practices.