Epistemic justice, African values and feedback of findings in African genomics research. Issue 1 (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ewuoso, Cornelius; Wonkam, Ambroise; de Vries, Jantina
• Is Part Of: Global bioethics. Volume 33:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: African genomics research -- solidarity -- partiality -- friendliness -- African philosophy; Bioethics -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Bioethics; Medical ethics; Periodicals; 174.2
• DOI: 10.1080/11287462.2022.2124019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1128-7462

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article draws on key normative principles grounded in important values – solidarity, partiality and friendliness – in African philosophy to think critically and deeply about the ethical challenges around returning individual genetic research findings in African genomics research. Precisely, we propose that the normative implication of solidarity, partiality and friendliness is that returning findings should be considered as a gesture of goodwill to participants to the extent that it constitutes acting for their well-being. Concretely, the value of friendliness may imply that one ought to return actionable results to participants even when their preferences regarding feedback are unknown. Notwithstanding, returning individual genetic results will have a cost implication. The cost of feeding back is relevant in the context of African genomics research projects, which are often funded by international sponsors and should be researched further.