Obtaining informed consent for genomics research in Africa: analysis of H3Africa consent documents.

Journal: Journal of medical ethics

Volume: 42

Issue: 2

Year of Publication: 2016

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Center for Genetic Research Ethics and Law Department of Bioethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleaveland, Ohio, USA. Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Wellcome Trust, London, UK. Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger Cameroon Bioethics Initiative (CAMBIN), Yaounde, Cameroon. MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda. MRC Unit on Anxiety & Stress Disorders Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana.

Abstract summary 

The rise in genomic and biobanking research worldwide has led to the development of different informed consent models for use in such research. This study analyses consent documents used by investigators in the H3Africa (Human Heredity and Health in Africa) Consortium.A qualitative method for text analysis was used to analyse consent documents used in the collection of samples and data in H3Africa projects. Thematic domains included type of consent model, explanations of genetics/genomics, data sharing and feedback of test results.Informed consent documents for 13 of the 19 H3Africa projects were analysed. Seven projects used broad consent, five projects used tiered consent and one used specific consent. Genetics was mostly explained in terms of inherited characteristics, heredity and health, genes and disease causation, or disease susceptibility. Only one project made provisions for the feedback of individual genetic results.H3Africa research makes use of three consent models-specific, tiered and broad consent. We outlined different strategies used by H3Africa investigators to explain concepts in genomics to potential research participants. To further ensure that the decision to participate in genomic research is informed and meaningful, we recommend that innovative approaches to the informed consent process be developed, preferably in consultation with research participants, research ethics committees and researchers in Africa.

Authors & Co-authors:  Munung Nchangwi Syntia NS Marshall Patricia P Campbell Megan M Littler Katherine K Masiye Francis F Ouwe-Missi-Oukem-Boyer Odile O Seeley Janet J Stein D J DJ Tindana Paulina P de Vries Jantina J

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Budin-Ljøsne I, Tassé AM, Knoppers BM, et al. . Bridging consent: from toll bridges to lift bridges? BMC Med Genomics 2011;4:69 10.1186/1755-8794-4-69
Authors :  10
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1136/medethics-2015-102796
SSN : 1473-4257
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Africa
Other Terms
Informed Consent
Study Design
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Publication Country
England