HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH PROGRAMS SHOULD BE COUPLED TO PUBLIC HEALTH

Daniel Lindner, Sophia Walsh, Tatiana P. Benoit, Christine Serzo, Susan Corradino, Renee Markowicz, Diane Persad-Kouril, Robert Sheilds, George B. Stefano
Graduate Program in Education and Neuroscience Research Institute, State University of New York – College at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA

Korespondenční autor: George B. Stefano (gstefano@sunynri.org)

ISSN 1804-7181 (On-line)

Full verze:

Submitted:11. 10. 2010
Accepted: 21. 4. 2010
Published online: 15. 6. 2011

Summary

In the United States there are an enormous number of high school research programs that demand the expertise of the educator and interaction with other labs. The Department of Health (DOH) has several important functions that must ensure the safety of this population. Among these functions is notably the necessity to become involved in health issues that would possibly arise in high school research programs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) establishes guidelines of ethical standards that laboratories and researchers must follow. Considering the potential hazards, ethical guidelines fall under the broader umbrella of public health which will ensure the safety of the community of high school students in a laboratory setting. Transparency is critical in order to avoid potential unethical situations and conflicts related to high school science teachers in the laboratory and how they help to maintain a safe environment for their students. A uniform code of ethics should incorporate standards from established organizations that are applicable. It is important that NIH enforces specific guidelines to make sure ethical practices are adhered to. Health concerns must be taken into consideration in high school research, since the community is part of public health given the nature of the work being performed.

Keywords: high school research; public health; biohazards; experimentation

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