Conducting epigenetics research with refugees and asylum seekers: attending to the ethical challenges.
Clin Epigenetics
; 13(1): 105, 2021 05 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33964970
ABSTRACT
An increase in global violence has forced the displacement of more than 70 million people, including 26 million refugees and 3.5 asylum seekers. Refugees and asylum seekers face serious socioeconomic and healthcare barriers and are therefore particularly vulnerable to physical and mental health risks, which are sometimes exacerbated by immigration policies and local social discriminations. Calls for a strong evidence base for humanitarian action have encouraged conducting research to address the barriers and needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Given the role of epigenetics factors to mediate the effect of psychological and environmental exposures, epigenetic modifications have been used as biomarkers for life adversity and disease states. Therefore, epigenetic research can be potentially beneficial to address some of the issues associated with refugees and asylum seekers. Here, we review the value of previous and ongoing epigenetic studies with traumatized populations, explore some of the ethical challenges associated with epigenetic research with refugees and asylees and offer suggestions to address or mitigate some of these challenges. Researchers have an ethical responsibility to implement strategies to minimize the harms and maximize the short and long-term benefits to refugee and asylee participants.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Refugees
/
Research Subjects
/
Epigenesis, Genetic
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Epigenetics
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States