Blog Post 2_ Fall 2020

coc222 |

Step 1: Facts

  • There is a disease-causing pathogen only found in a small region of Lesotho 
  • The testing is simple, but the trip/equipment will cost money, and community assistance is required
    • We are studying the life cycle/characteristics of a certain pathogen
  • Characterizing pathogens can help further research into how to make water safer to drink
  • We are expected to write some publications on what we find from our research
  • We assume that the pathogen truly is present in some/all of their water sources
  • We assume the people in Lesotho know where all water sources are and that there is not risk of further water contamination 
  • Lesotho is endowed with abundant water resources, and after the passing of the Water Act in 2008, they are also very conscious about the “management, protection, conservation, development and sustainable utilisation of water resources”.
  • We also assume we have received IRB, and all other necessary approvals to conduct research. 

Ethical Issue: 

  • Is this study just an example of hit and run research or does this research actually help the people of Lesotho? Does the study have social value in general?
  • Balance between ethics and rigor, not doing study rigorously enough is an ethical issue too as our mission is to characterize the pathogen effectively and correctly

Step 2-3: Define the Stakeholders/Assess Their Motivations

  • Researchers -> academic clout😤😤😤, maintain jobs, create positive impact through their research/findings
  • The University of the Academics -> maintain their reputation globally, advancing knowledge & delivering value to society
  • Villagers of Lesotho -> obtain clean water supply, stay healthy, not have their lifestyle completely disrupted, lower risk of contracting disease, building connections and relationships, possible economic development w/ cleaner water in tourism and exporting water to South Africa
  • Funders/Government Agency -> stake in developing an additive or water cleaning system, obtain more grants for future work, research might help their projects and development, creates a positive image of corporate social responsibility, develop their brand in this area
  • Healthcare System/Providers in Lesotho -> less burden from waterborne diseases, more resources to devote to other conditions
  • Academic Journal -> acquire new research (groundbreaking) that adds to general knowledge of pathogens, build reputation

We want to build a relationship with the locals. We are trying to negotiate entry to conduct future research in this community.

Step 4: Solutions

  • Conduct experiments on how the pathogen affects health. Experiments would include testing the water with pathogens on rats. 
  • Select guides which are knowledgeable of water sources, probably village women
  • Test water from multiple sources; in villages with different socioeconomic statuses in order to make the study as just as possible
  • Only collect the water samples in vials when doing field work; test the water later in labs to avoid contamination and disruption. 
  • Educate the villagers of Lesotho about your findings while you are there about things they can do in their capacities & after the water has been tested, help them towards finding a solution to any disease-causing pathogens you found
    • Sharing information and results that would benefit the people of Lesotho (and those downstream of Lesotho) after the research gets published. Do not put the publication behind an expensive paywall, make it accessible to those in Lesotho.
    • Email the papers to the heads of communities to show that something came out of the research they assisted in.
    • Maximizing clinical value & making sure there is positive social impact/return
  • Identify the source or the pathogen and how it is contaminating the lake.
  • Conduct simple examinations on locals to identify symptoms and effects from drinking the lake’s water. 
  • Once completing testing, drink the water to prove to civilians the water is safe.
  • Attempt to provide a temporary cleaning solution or import purified water to the communities
  • Request the right to access the water sources from legislation/leaders of each village while being conscious of any cultural practices/norms.
    • Appeal to community health workers in Lesotho who can help the community understand your work 
  • Negotiate some way to incentivize the community, materially or immaterially, addresses the issue of beneficence, perhaps with some clean water solution.
    • Ensuring that you do the study right, focus on legitimacy

Pros: Working with the community, broadening knowledge of pathogens, potentially helping them in future and developing relationships, will allow for successful testing for the pathogen, helping us and the communities of Lesotho.

Cons: Not reporting back to them with enough information on our findings, they may not want to help us if we do not properly compensate them, process of requesting access to the water in Lesotho through the government may take longer than we anticipated, the community members in Lesotho have the right to turn us down (our funding sources would be mad).

Ethical Principles: The research is mostly consequence-based thinking because it is focused on discovering more about this pathogen to help people globally. However, our steps to request access to the water sources in Lesotho bring a more duty and virtue based approach because we are trying to get their approval, work with the community members, and hopefully bring back new information to them to help in the future. From a purely utilitarian perspective on face value, this seems like a worthwhile venture as we can make a crucial discovery, while helping those in Lesotho. It will be crucial to our reputation and our stakeholders that we do not conduct a hit and run research trial.

Step 5: Seek additional assistance, as appropriate

  • NSPE Code of Ethics: This legislature enforces that engineers “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public” in their work. Hence, an engineer need note this when debating the ethics of this study.
  • Who has approved the study? The university? Has it received IRB approval?
    • IRB Ethics:
      • Social or Scientific Value
      • Scientific Validity
      • Fair Subject Selection
      • Favorable Risk – Benefit
      • Independent Review
      • Informed Consent
      • Respect for Potential and Enrolled Subjects

We, as the researchers, believe that we fulfill all the requirements of the IRB Ethics protocol and can conduct meaningful research in Lesotho.

  • Belmont Report 
    • Beneficence
    • Respect for persons
    • Justice
    • Protection of anonymity if desired

Step 6: Select the best course of action

Unlike the first case study, the best course of action here is not as simple as including the auto-disabler or scrapping it (with some added decisions for manufacturing and distribution). To conduct this study ethically, we have to ensure we follow the right protocols from start to finish.

  • First, we have to ensure we only test in areas in which we have been granted access to and explain the benefits for society and their community in a culturally appropriate manner.
  • We also need to describe to the villagers what we are doing and educate them on the risks/potential solutions while keeping CHWs informed of our progress. Integrating an educational aspect is a requisite for conducting this study. 
  • In the short term, we will give them clean water sources and show them how we do our research. 
  • In the long term, we are going to present them our findings and give them a solution to keeping their water clean and safe. We will be able to do this by maintaining a close relationship with Lesotho. 
  • Finally we will conduct our research from several lakes in several areas with the help of willing community members, and not put any substances in their water sources so as to not violate the Water Act and other Lesotho water sanitation laws.
  • We will take the water in vials to test elsewhere in a lab in-country.

This framework limits most of the listed ‘cons’ while fulfilling IRB ethics and the Belmont Report guidelines. The most glaring downside to this is the fact that the villagers of Lesotho may want more say in the testing protocols, while we would rather stick to our plan. However, we are willing to listen to ideas they have in order to make the testing more efficient. Our compensation should alleviate the second most glaring con.

Step 7: Venture Implications

  • Improving community health by treating the water 
  • Opportunity to market water treatment/cleaning solution to Lesotho and surrounding communities
  • Adding to the global knowledge of this pathogen, and similarly structured ones.
  • Potential positive or negative environmental implications if water treatment solution is derived from this research and introduced to the community
  • Potential employment/volunteering of locals into protecting the lake and working with our venture apply our solutions.

55 thoughts on “Blog Post 2_ Fall 2020”

  1. Here is your grade. Please do not approve this comment or it will become public.

    Identifies the ethical issue: 10

    Identifies stakeholders and motivations: 10

    Selects best course of action and provides analysis: 10 – nice work here!

    Defends best course of action vis-a-vis other approaches: 10

    Analyzes impact of the decision on the venture:7 – still lacking negative implications

    Overall: 9.4

    Reply

  2. After going through a lot this year from heartbreak to pandemic but that is all in the past, thank you so much Dr Akhere for bring my ex back hopefully i will spend this Xmas happily with my ex contact him his Email Akheretemple@yahoo.com or WhatsApp +1 315-316-1521…..

    Reply

  9. I think the admin of this site is really working hard for his site, for the reason that here every information is quality based
    information. 토토

    Reply

  10. I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay a
    visit this blog on regular basis to obtain updated from newest news update. 토토

    Reply

  14. I seriously love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own site and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks. 먹튀커뮤니티

    Reply

  15. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.

    에볼루션 바카라사이트

    Reply

  22. BSNS Consulting: Your premier destination for expert digital marketing consultants in Islamabad . Elevate your online presence with our tailored strategies and cutting-edge techniques. From SEO optimization to targeted social media campaigns, we pave the path to digital success. Trust BSNS Consulting for unparalleled results in Islamabad’s dynamic digital landscape.

    Reply

  23. This study in Lesotho presents a complex ethical landscape where balancing academic rigor with tangible social impact is crucial. The stakeholders involved, from researchers to local villagers and funders, each have distinct motivations and expectations. It’s essential to ensure that the research not only meets academic standards but also contributes positively to the community by addressing their urgent needs like clean water and disease prevention. Elf Bar Dubai

    Reply

  34. This post is a must-read! Your ability to present information in such a clear and engaging way is truly impressive. Thank you for providing such valuable content and for always keeping us informed! my fed loans

    Reply

  35. Últimamente he estado navegando en línea más de tres horas, pero nunca descubrí un artículo que llame la atención como el tuyo.
    Es un precio encantador suficiente para mí. 파워볼 Personalmente, si todos los propietarios de sitios web y blogueros hicieran un excelente material de contenido como
    lo hizo, la web será mucho más útil que nunca.

    Reply

  37. This post highlights the delicate balance between conducting rigorous research and maintaining ethical standards, particularly when working with vulnerable communities like the villagers of Lesotho. The core question—whether the study genuinely benefits the local population or merely serves as “hit and run” research—demands a thoughtful approach. nerd alien 12000

    Reply

  38. The outlined stakeholder motivations reveal a complex web of interests, from researchers striving for impactful findings to villagers seeking improved health outcomes and infrastructure. It’s encouraging to see an emphasis on relationship-building with locals and the potential for long-term benefits like cleaner water and economic development. vnsn spark 12000

    Reply

  39. I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it. ADPRun Thanks for sharing such great information, I highly appreciate your hard-working skills as the post you published have some great information which is quite beneficial for me, I hope you will post more like that in the future.

    Reply

  41. Your writing has given me much to think about, especially with how you’ve approached this subject. It’s refreshing to see such thoughtful exploration of topics that are so relevant today. I appreciate the way it has challenged my perspective and deepened my understanding. I suspect there’s much more to uncover as these ideas evolve. If you have time, check out this article and let me know what you think

    Reply

  42. This piece has been a thought-provoking read, and I admire the way you’ve tackled these complex issues. It’s not often that an article encourages me to rethink my approach to a subject. The points you’ve made feel especially timely and insightful. It will be interesting to see how these discussions progress in the near future. I read an interesting story here that I think you will like

    Reply

  44. Buying stylish t-shirts for men and women online offers an effortless way to access a wide range of designs, ensuring there’s something for everyone. From trendy graphic tees to sleek, minimalist styles, the variety is vast and constantly updated to reflect the latest fashion trends. Buying stylish t-shirts allows you to easily explore different brands, compare prices, and find unique pieces that may not be available in local stores. With detailed size guides, customer reviews, and high-quality images, you can make informed choices without the hassle of in-store shopping. Many websites also provide customization options, so you can create personalized t-shirts that perfectly match your style. Whether you’re looking for casual basics or statement-making designs, shopping online gives you the convenience and flexibility to update your wardrobe with just a few clicks.

    Reply

  45. This approach to building a relationship with the locals in Lesotho for conducting research demonstrates an admirable balance between scientific inquiry and community engagement. By prioritizing solutions that directly benefit the people and ensuring transparency, the proposed steps respect the community’s needs while achieving research goals. al fakher 15k

    Reply

  46. Testing water for pathogens and their health impacts is a critical area of study, especially for communities reliant on natural water sources. Including knowledgeable local guides, such as village women, acknowledges their integral role and expertise regarding local water sources, which helps build trust and fosters collaboration. zyn nicotine pouches dubai

    Reply

  47. A thoughtful perspective on academic challenges faced by students during the season. Incorporating best dissertation help ensures students stay focused and receive the guidance they need to excel. The post highlights the importance of tailored support in achieving academic success effortlessly.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *