Reviving Human Research in Costa Rica. Issue 1 (22nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Householder, Michael; Solano‐López, Ana Laura; Muñóz‐Rojas, Derby; Rivera, Suzanne M.
• Is Part Of: Ethics & human research. Volume 41:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2019-01-22
• Subjects: human subjects research -- Costa Rica -- research moratorium -- human research ethics -- biomedical research; Medical ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Human experimentation in medicine -- Periodicals; Informed consent (Medical law) -- United States -- Periodicals; 174.2805
• DOI: 10.1002/eahr.500004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2578-2355

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Costa Rica is a small developing nation in Central America with a well‐regarded universal health care system and a strong human rights tradition. In the latter part of the twentieth century, it became a popular site for clinical trials funded by multinational pharmaceutical companies. In light of concerns about ineffective oversight and alleged research abuses, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court passed a moratorium on all biomedical studies involving humans. This moratorium was in place between 2010 and 2014, when the Legislative Assembly passed a new national law to protect participants' rights and welfare. This case study reviews the history of human research protections in Costa Rica and provides recommendations for how Costa Rica can move forward responsibly as a leader in human research for the region.