Advances and challenges of the ethic review Committee in health Research of El Salvador CNEIS (period 2005-2021)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63326/f7bkfc79Keywords:
Health research, Bioethics, Research ethics governanceAbstract
This article analyzes the advances and challenges of the National Ethics Committee for Health Research of El Salvador (CNEIS) during the period 2005–2021, with the aim of identifying its contribution to the governance of biomedical research ethics in the country. A qualitative approach was employed through documentary analysis and a case study design, considering the CNEIS as a pioneering institution and promoter of ethical standards in health research. The analysis was structured around three main dimensions: the emergence of bioethics as a normative, reflective, dialogical, and multidisciplinary discipline; the international context that fostered the establishment of the first research ethics committees in Latin America; and the development of bioethical institutionalization in El Salvador. The findings reveal significant progress in the ethical and methodological review of biomedical research, the oversight of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), the establishment of guidelines for auditing research centers and research protocols, and training in the use of the ProEthos platform. Furthermore, several challenges were identified, including regulatory gaps, the need to update existing regulations, the absence of data management systems, and the lack of a clearly defined institutional relationship between the CNEIS and the Ministry of Health. The study concludes that strengthening the regulatory framework and implementing permanent bioethics training programs are essential for consolidating the ethical governance of health research in El Salvador.
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