Twenty years safeguarding ethics in research

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

The event was opened by the rector, Abraham Duarte, the vice-rector of Research, Doctorate and Library, Joaquín Rams, and the technical secretary of the CEI, Elisabet Huertas.

Through different round tables, which were attended by the vice-rectors and members who had been part of the CEI, a brief historical overview of the committee's 20 years was given.

The event concluded with a keynote address by Jordi Camí Morell, president of the Spanish Research Ethics Committee: “Scientific Integrity: Current Challenges”.

This committee focuses on ensuring that there are procedures in place to safeguard rights. It operates along two lines, explains the Vice-Rector for Research, Doctoral Studies, and the Library, Joaquín Rams: “The first relates to the processing of personal data in terms of privacy, especially regarding sensitive data; and the second concerns research with animals or any type of element (such as cells) that requires ethical consideration when conducting research.”

In these twenty years, Rams points out, “ethics in research has gone from being a secondary consideration to a fundamental pillar. It has become a crucial tool for conducting research safely. It guarantees that what you're doing is being done correctly. It's important to see it as a support tool, as an insurer of the ethical and scientific validity of the work being done.”

A sufficient track record that certifies that all research carried out at URJC adheres to guaranteed ethical standards.