Strengthening research ethics governance and regulatory oversight in Central America and the Dominican Republic in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Good governance and regulatory supervision are required to conduct research in an international public health emergency context and to ensure compliance with ethical standards. The "Strengthening research ethics governance and regulatory oversight in Central America and the Dominican Republic in response to the COVID-19 pandemic" study is a regional effort in which research ethics stakeholders participated in addressing research ethics governance and preparedness response challenges to the COVID-19 pandemic in Central America and the Dominican Republic. METHODS: A qualitative action research study was conducted following a participatory approach. Research ethics stakeholders in Central America and the Dominican Republic were mapped; a regional webinar and three virtual workshops were conducted discussing research ethics governance, ethics review and collaborative research practice during the pandemic. A roundtable session presented results and obtained feedback on a draft of a policy to strengthen regional research ethics governance. RESULTS: Countries across Central America and the Dominican Republic are at different stages in their development of research ethics systems. Countries with more established systems before COVID-19 were better organized and prepared to respond. This finding argues against improvisation and supports further work on strengthening governance of research ethics systems. Community engagement in research ethics public policy-making is practically absent in the region. Research and research ethics collaboration schemes are lacking amongst the countries; however, there are incipient initiatives in the region, such as the Central America and Caribbean Network of Research Ethics Committees. A policy brief with recommendations on how to advance towards strengthening the governance of research ethics systems was prepared and submitted to the Central American Integration System for analysis and possible approval. CONCLUSION: National research ethics systems in Central America and the Dominican Republic were unprepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to research oversight and effective collaboration. In most cases, national research ethics systems were found to be weak, and regional research collaboration was practically absent. To promote collaboration, a joint strategy needs to be developed with a regional vision towards sharing knowledge and best practices.

Precarización laboral, desigualdad y nuevas tecnologías

Propósito/Contexto. En este artículo se analiza el impacto de la inteligencia artificial para resolver las desigualdades existentes en América Latina. Metodología/Enfoque. Se revisaron las estadísticas laborales y educativas oficiales de las Naciones Unidas, las aplicaciones de la inteligencia artificial en América Latina y El Caribe y se analizaron desde la bioética y los derechos humanos. Resultados/Hallazgos. La precariedad del empleo y el pobre acceso a la educación son permanentes en todos los informes. En este contexto, el reemplazo de las actividades por la inteligencia artificial presenta un riesgo de alto a mediano para el empleo en el sector privado. Discusión/Conclusiones/Contribuciones. El discurso predominante glorifica los beneficios de la tecnología, sin tomar en cuenta las desigualdades existentes, sin embargo, este instrumento de transformación productiva debe ser evaluado analizando las relaciones de poder y su impacto social. La educación es una respuesta insuficiente mientras no se integra a las prioridades nacionales de desarrollo humano. La implementación de las diferentes formas de tecnología digital debe ofrecer alternativas reales de empleo pleno y seguro, cumpliendo con los artículos 14 y 16 de la Declaración Universal sobre Bioética y Derechos Humanos del 2005.

Purpose/Background. This essay analyzes the impact of artificial intelligence to solve existing inequalities in Latin America. Methodology/Approach. The official labor and educational statistics of the United Nations, and the applications of artificial intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean, were reviewed and analyzed from bioethics and human rights. Results/Findings. Job insecurity is permanent in all reports. In this context, the replacement of activities by artificial intelligence presents a high to medium risk for employment in the private sector. Discussion/Conclusions. The prevailing discourse glorifies the benefits of technology, without considering existing inequalities. However, this instrument of productive transformation must be evaluated by analyzing power relations and its social impact. Education is an insufficient response if it is not integrated into national human development priorities. The implementation of the different forms of digital technology must offer real alternatives for full and secure em-ployment, complying with articles 14 and 16 of the 2005 Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.

Finalidade/Contexto. Este artigo analisa o impacto da inteligência artificial na resolução das desigualdades existentes na América Latina. Metodologia/Aproximação. As estatísticas oficiais das Nações Unidas sobre trabalho e educação, aplicações de inteligência artificial na América Latina e Ca-raíbas foram revistas e analisadas de uma perspectiva bioética e de direitos humanos. Resultados/Findings. A precariedade do emprego e o fraco acesso à educação são permanentes em todos os relatórios. Neste contexto, a substituição de actividades por inteligência artificial apresenta um risco elevado a médio para o emprego no sector privado. Discussão/Conclusões/Contribuições. O discurso dominante glorifica os benefícios da tecnologia, sem ter em conta as desigualdades existentes; contudo, este instrumento de transformação produtiva deve ser avaliado através da análise das relações de poder e do seu impacto social. A educação é uma resposta insuficiente enquanto não for integrada nas prioridades nacionais de desenvolvimento humano. A implementação de diferentes formas de tecnologia digital deve oferecer alternativas reais para um emprego pleno e seguro, em conformidade com os artigos 14 e 16 da Declaração Universal sobre Bioética e Direitos Humanos de 2005.

Programas de educación sexual en Panamá / Programs on sexual education in panama / Programas de educação sexual no panamá

¿Cuál es el lugar del placer en los programas de educación sexual? En Panamá, como en otros países de América Latina, la violencia contra niños y niñas y contra las mujeres no les permite reconocer la propiedad de su propio cuerpo y menos su derecho al placer. Los programas actuales sobre educación sexual, prevención del embarazo y SIDA promueven el uso del preservativo y la abstinencia pero no hablan de la ética del placer. Frecuentemente, el personal sanitario y educativo no está preparado para hablar sobre el tema. El uso del placer sexual como mercancía en los medios de comunicación introduce mayor confusión. La bioética debe integrar los estudios de la psicología, la antropología y un sentido de humanidad que permitan a este personal trabajar con las personas hacia la apropiación de su integridad como ser humano.

Which place occupies pleasure in sexual education programs? In Panama, as in other Latin American countries, violence against children and women does not allow people to realize own bodylines and less their right to pleasure. Present programs about sexual education, pregnancy prevention and AIDS promote the use of preservatives and abstinence but do not include the ethics of pleasure. Frequently, the health and training personnel are not prepared to speak about the topic. The use of sexual pleasure as a merchandise in media creates greater confusion. Bioethics must integrate psychological and anthropological studies and a sense of humanity to allow this personnel to work with persons towards the integral appropriation of human beings.

Qual é o lugar do prazer nos programas de educação sexual? No Panamá, como em outros países da América Latina, a violência contra meninos e meninas e contra as mulheres não lhes permite reconhecer a propriedade dos seus corpos e muito menos os seus direitos ao prazer. Os atuais programas sobre educação sexual, contracepção e AIDS promovem o uso do preservativo e a abstinência, mas nâo se referem á ética do prazer. Frequentemente, os profissionais da saúde e da saúde e da educação não se encontram preparados para tratar sobre o tema. O uso do prazer sexual como mercadoria nos meios de comunicaçâo acende ainda mais o conflicto. A bioética de ve integrar os estudos da psicologia, da antropologia e o sentido humanidade de modo a permitir que tais profissionais possam trabalhar com as pessoas a apropiaçâo de sua integridade como ser humano.

Génetica y bioética en América Latina / Genetics and bioethics in Latin America

Las implicaciones bioéticas de la genética en América Latina: se analizan las relaciones entre el podercientífico y los derechos humanos en las condiciones particulares de este continente. En particular, el mito de la salud perfecta que rodea a la genética permite abusos de los derechos de las personas en sociedades poco democráticas. El análisis de las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la consejería genética y las pruebas genéticas muestra que la bioética debe estar vigilante en su aplicación.