Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

The following may be used as boilerplate language. However, each fellow should modify and add to the text in a manner which will reflect his or her project.  If a portion of the text does not apply to the grant (i.e. animals are not involved on the project), it is suggested that the language be removed from the text.

The Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of the Dept of Medicine and the Committee on Molecular Medicine host a Summer Seminar Series on Scientific Integrity and the Ethical Conduct of Research. This interactive seminar series is open to the entire BSD community, but may be especially useful for post-doctoral research trainees and junior faculty members with NIH or other research awards who seek training in scientific integrity and ethical research practice. While this is not a credit course, a letter documenting attendance for any attendee who requires one and who has signed the attendance sheets that will be provided at each session. Topics include: Ethical Implications of the Human Genome Project, Ethics of Human Experimentation, Ethical Treatment of Animals in Research, Data Presentation and Ownership, Publications and Authorship, Conflicts of Interest: Research and Industry, Mentoring: When Good Students Go Bad, Academic Fraud.

The MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics directs and co-sponsors several innovative conferences and workshops at the University of Chicago. These include annual joint conferences with the Law School and the Harris School of Public Policy, year-long interdisciplinary faculty seminars, and an annual MacLean Center Fellows’ Reunion Conference. The 2006-2007 school year Faculty Seminar Series presented by distinguished scholars from the University of Chicago and from the national research ethics community will present seminars on “Controversies in Research Ethics” This year, the Seminar Series will cover 5 areas: international research, social science research, community research, biobanks, and special problems in informed consent.

If using Humans or Animals…..

The Biological Sciences Division, Office of the Dean, has specific training requirements in the ethics of human research protections. Investigators intending to conduct clinical trials are required to attend the “Training for New Investigators” provided by the Associate Dean for Clinical Research, Dr. Richard Schilsky and the Office of Clinical Research. Additionally, NIH-funded investigators and staff must complete the “Human Subjects Protection Training.” presented by the Institutional Review Board Chair, Dr. Jonathan Moss. This two-hour training session fulfills the NIH requirement for Human Subjects Research Training. Investigators who conduct research with pediatric populations must also attend the “Training for Investigators and Research Staff involved in Research with Children” presented by Dr. Lainie Ross.

For those investigators who use animal models, the University of Chicago Animal Resources Center provides monthly training session of the ethical care and use of animals. All vertebrate animal users must attend The General Orientation Session on the Use of Laboratory Animals in Teaching and Research at the University of Chicago. In addition to the General Orientation, investigators and teaching staff will be required to attend additional training programs relevant to specific types of animal work.