What We Do
Ethics
Ethics Advisory Group (EAG)
The Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) was established to provide ethical guidance on The Union's work at national and international levels. Its role is to safeguard the dignity and rights of study participants and to promote ethical standards in lung health services. The EAG is made up of six members, who have been selected to ensure professional and geographic representation. Current members are citizens of South Africa, India, Sudan, Australia, South Korea and the USA. They are professionals in the fields of social science, research, clinical medicine and public health.
The EAG reviews every protocol in which a Union staff member or consultant is the principal researcher, likely to be a co-author, or if The Union funds or sponsors the study. Through a formal application process, the EAG evaluates especially the societal value of the study, the methods (poor science is unethical), informed consent forms for studies involving more than record reviews, risks to participants, confidentiality of participant information, local community and researcher/health service involvement and local ethics committee approval. Studies involving record reviews and existing data must also be reviewed by the EAG. Applications for studies of existing records are reviewed by the Chairperson, other applications by the full committee. If the EAG has concerns or suggestions about ethical issues these are communicated to the applicants. Approval is given when necessary revisions are made.
The number of applications to the EAG has risen significantly over the past few years. This reflects the work generated by the Centre for Operational Research and TREAT TB. From 2005 until 2012, there were 291 applications to the EAG with 87% of these submitted over the last 3 years.
EAG documents and application form
All applications for EAG approval should be sent to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The application form should be downloaded for completion.Who Should Apply (PDF 26KB)
Application Form (studies with human participants): version 2013 (Word 156KB)
Application Form (studies of records or existing data) (Word 119KB)
Informed consent: recommended formats (Word 27KB)
Modifications or Extensions to Previously Approved Applications (Word 131KB)
Progress report: required for studies with human participants (not for record reviews), only if study is not completed within 12 months of EAG approval (Word 38KB)
Standard Operating Procedures (as of March 2010) (PDF 48KB)
EAG Publications
The Union's Ethics Advisory Group
Edginton M E. The Union’s Ethics Advisory Group. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2011; 15(6 Suppl 2): S1–S2.
Surveillance for MDR-TB: is there an obligation to ensure treatment for individuals identified with MDR-TB?
Edginton M E, Miller D L, Burney P, et al. Surveillance for MDR-TB: is there an obligation to ensure treatment for individuals identified with MDR-TB?/ Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2010; 14(9):1094–1096
Informed consent
Edginton M E, O’Brien R, El Sony A, Roldan A, S Srinath. Informed consent. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2010; 14(8): 938.
Response to 'Informed patient consent for defaulter tracing: should we obtain it?' Edginton M E (Chair), Khan A, Miller D, Roldan M and Selgelid M J. Response to 'Informed patient consent for defaulter tracing: should we obtain it?' Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2009; 13(5): 556-557.
The importance of ethical reflection in Union activities
Miller D. The importance of ethical reflection in Union activities. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2008; 12(7): 728–730.
Ethics reflection in development cooperation: a critical role for The Union
Edginton M E, Khan A, Miller D, Roldan M, Spies M, Enarson D. Ethics reflection in development cooperation: a critical role for The Union. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2007; 11(6): 591.
Ethics and research: the case of informed consent
Edginton M E, Selgelid M J. Ethics and research: the case of informed consent. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2008; 12(5): 465-466.
Ethics reflection in development cooperation: a critical role for The Union
Edginton M E, Khan A, Miller D, Roldan M, Spies M, Enarson D. Ethics reflection in development cooperation: a critical role for The Union. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2007; 11(6): 591.
