'Science Times' synthesis

Independence Day is just around the corner, but before you fire up that grill, be sure to check out the latest installment of our ‘Science Times’ synthesis! From the inspirational story of one doctor’s struggle with mental illness, to increasing evidence of a drug company’s deception, this week’s buffet of sizzling stories is sure to satisfy.

Week of June 17

Heart trouble early and often in HIV patients: According to a new study of HIV-positive patients, individuals living with HIV, even those whose disease is well managed by drugs, have more heart attacks and have them earlier in life.

Expert on mental illness reveals her own fight: This moving profile of Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, chronicles her personal struggle with mental illness, and how that struggle both informed and motivated her in her work with patients suffering from borderline personality disorder.

Oregon study shows benefits, and price, for newly insured: In 2008, the state of Oregon opened its Medicaid rolls to a randomly selected group of working-age adults living in poverty. Since that time, the Oregon Health Study has followed both uninsured and newly insured residents, to see how health insurance (or lack thereof) has affected their health and quality of life.

Week of June 24

Falling in love may take a lifetime of research: This charming piece details the complex and rewarding relationships field biologists sometimes develop with their research subjects.

In documents on pain drug, signs of doubt and deception: A long-running securities fraud case against Pfizer has led to the recent release of documents suggesting that officials made a strategic decision during the early trial of popular pain medication Celebrex to be less than forthcoming about the drug’s safety.

Cells most vulnerable to HPV are identified: Researchers have discovered that cervical cancers are linked to a small population of distinct cells in a particular region of the cervix, known as the ectoendocervical squamocolumnar (SC) junction. According to the senior author, Christopher P. Crum, MD, this discovery “could be used to more clearly define which precancers need to be treated versus those that need to be followed, so you don’t go doing surgery on women who have innocuous infections.”

What Does the Supreme Court's Decision Mean for Research?

by Joan Rachlin, Executive Director

June 28, 2012, will go down in history as a day of celebration for those who believe that health care is something that should be provided to all US citizens. Although a single-payer system is widely acknowledged to be the best way to reach that goal, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a step in the right direction.

The US Supreme Court upheld the law in a 5-4 vote, and Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion for the majority. In upholding the controversial requirement that all Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty fee, the Chief Justice characterized the mandate as a valid exercise of Congress' authority to "lay and collect taxes."

The law as written includes a few provisions that impact biomedical research, most notably the creation of an accelerated approval process for biosimilar drugs. Other sections of the ACA that are relevant to the PRIM&R community are the authorization of a Cures Acceleration Network and a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). There is also a requirement that drug and device companies post on the internet any payments to physicians in excess of $10, or the in-kind equivalent.

Support for the decision is coming in from many quarters of the research and medicine worlds. One posting that we were particularly impressed by was that of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). PRIM&R’s longstanding friend and professional partner praised the Court’s decision despite the fact that US teaching hospitals will be losing 153 billion dollars in Medicare and Medicaid payments over the next nine years. It is hoped and expected, though, that this decrease in revenue would likely be offset by increased income from the greater number of insured citizens using hospital services. 

Today was, all told, a great day for the citizens of our country and for the members of our community, all of whom know the need for and value of a fair and functional health care system. It’s also a reminder that doing the right thing takes great courage and principles, so thanks to all who had anything to do with the drafting and passage of the ACA.

Onward in hope and hooray for change!

Featured Member Profile: Helen Harton

Welcome to another installment of our featured member profiles, where we will continue to introduce you to our members—individuals who work to advance ethical research on a daily basis. Please read on to learn more about their professional experiences, how membership helps them connect to a larger community, and what goes on behind the scenes in their lives!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Harton, institutional review board (IRB) chair and professor of psychology at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA.

When and why did you join the field?
Several years ago I was invited to be on a committee which focused on improving the IRB process at my university. I then went on to join the IRB, and I now hold the position of IRB chair. I feel strongly about helping to facilitate research for faculty and students, while ensuring that the process is ethical for participants. 

What is your favorite part of your job?
When I review a protocol and make suggestions to improve a study (sometimes I'll give optional advice based on my experience that the researcher can take or leave) and the principal investigator seems to appreciate the suggestions.

What’s your after-hours guilty pleasure?
I'm not sure this is an "after-hours guilty pleasure," but in addition to being an IRB chair, professor of psychology, and graduate coordinator in psychology, I also teach belly dance classes and perform alone and with my troupe around the area.

Why did you join PRIM&R?
For the great resources!

What is your favorite member benefit?
I've found the conferences to be really helpful.

What would you say to someone who is considering PRIM&R membership?
I would recommend that people join PRIM&R to find out more about best practices and what other IRBs are doing.

What do you believe is a key challenge facing the field of research ethics?
I think a key challenge is going to be increasing researcher interest in various types of internet data collection (including some that probably haven't even been invented yet). 

Thank you for being part of the membership community and sharing your story, Helen. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member, please visit our website today.

Bringing Research Ethics to the Beach: 5 Summer Reading Picks

 by Avery Avrakotos, Education and Policy Coordinator

Who says research ethics doesn’t make good beach reading? Just in time for the first day of summer, here are five page-turning books—from historical fiction to riveting memoirs—that are sure to keep you on the edge of your beach chair!

1. The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness – An endowed professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and an expert in the ethical dimensions of psychiatric research, Elyn R. Saks shares her journey with schizophrenia in this powerful memoir.  Saks will also deliver one of three keynote presentations at the 2012 Advancing Ethical Research Conference.


2. Uncaged: A Thriller – In this medical thriller, Paul McKellips, executive vice president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research, explores a world in which animal testing is suddenly banned.


3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – This New York Times Bestseller offers a spellbinding account of the history behind the HeLa cell, the first immortal human cells grown in culture.  If you have not yet had a chance to read this instant classic by Rebecca Skloot, this is the summer to do it!


4. Open Wound: The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont – Rooted in historical fact, author Jason Karlawish’s novel relates Dr. William Beaumont’s relationship with the patient whose condition brought Beaumont professional recognition.


5. State of Wonder – The plot for this riveting novel from critically acclaimed author Ann Patchett revolves around fertility research being conducted deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.

What books related to research ethics will you be bringing to the beach this year?

"Science Times" synthesis

Did the NBA Finals have you taking a “time out” to watch the games this weekend? Don’t be a benchwarmer any longer—make a fast break and check out the latest Science Times synthesis! With articles covering the full arena of hot topics from an exciting new treatment for hypertension to a shocking discovery about a monumental researcher, this installment is a real slam dunk.

Week of June 4

DNA blueprint for fetus built using tests of parents: A new paper from the University of Washington outlines how researchers were able to deduce the entire genome of a fetus using only a blood sample and a saliva specimen from the mother and father, respectively.

Our animal natures: This fascinating opinion piece explores some striking similarities between the health of humans and the health of animals. Topics explored include obesity, addiction, cancer, and self-harm. 

Week of June 11

Notebooks shed light on an antibiotic’s contested discovery: In this captivating story, the discovery of a graduate student’s notebook sheds new light on the controversy surrounding the discovery of streptomycin, the first antibiotic to cure tuberculosis.

As medical imaging rises, radiation concerns follow: A new study conducted in response to the rise in use of diagnostic imaging techniques encourages clinicians to weigh the rewards against the risks associated with exposure to radiation. 

To cut blood pressure, nerves get a jolt: Researchers are experimenting with an innovative but invasive procedure designed to help patients with treatment-resistant hypertension.

"Science Times" synthesis

Can you believe that summer is almost here? Before you dust off your flip flops and head for the beach, be sure to check out this week’s installment of the “Science Times” synthesis!

Week of 5/21

Troves of personal data forbidden to researchers: “Big data” describes data collected by companies such as Facebook and Google from individuals’ use of social media and communication technology, and is stirring controversy in research circles. Scientists believe that studies conducted using big data should be required to make their datasets public. Opponents believe that this practice would infringe on the privacy of companies and their customers.

A tidal wave of data on elephant seals: Researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz tagged and monitored elephant seals that winter off the coast of Northern California. Their efforts have resulted in a bevy of new information on the health and migration patterns of the species in what is being deemed the largest dataset on any marine animal to date.

Panel issues final guidance against prostate screenings: In a controversial decision, a government task force has concluded that the harm caused by a simple blood test used regularly to screen men for prostate cancer far outweighs any potential benefit. As a result, the task force has recommended that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test not be given annually.

Week of 5/28

How the scent of fear may be picked up by others: Scientists have long noted that fish tend to scatter when one of their schoolmates is injured. Scientists in Singapore believe they have identified the molecule which is responsible for this behavior. Chondroitin, which is found in the outer mucus of zebrafish, arouses a sense of alarm when it is released into the water.

Stubborn infection, spread by insects, is called ‘the new AIDS of the Americas’: Chagas disease is caused by single-celled parasites that are transmitted to humans by blood-sucking insects. The long incubation period of the disease and the expense and difficulty of treatment have led to comparisons between Chagas and AIDS.