Scientific Sessions

Infectious disease research plays a vital role in understanding, preventing, and controlling illnesses that threaten global health. However, it raises several ethical challenges due to its potential risks to participants, communities, and the environment. One major concern is ensuring informed consent, especially in outbreak situations where urgency may pressure individuals into participation without fully understanding the risks. Vulnerable populations—such as those in low-income regions, refugees, or individuals with limited health literacy—may be more susceptible to exploitation, making the need for clear communication and respect for autonomy crucial. Balancing public health benefits with individual rights is another significant challenge. For example, studies involving potentially dangerous pathogens require strict biosafety and biosecurity measures to prevent accidental release or misuse, but these precautions can limit research progress. Additionally, determining fair participant selection, avoiding discrimination, and ensuring equitable access to the benefits of research outcomes remain persistent ethical considerations.

Another major challenge lies in navigating the tension between rapid data sharing and protecting privacy. During infectious disease outbreaks, timely sharing of patient data, genomic sequences, and epidemiological findings is essential for controlling spread, yet this must be balanced against confidentiality and potential stigmatization of affected individuals or communities. Furthermore, in global collaborative studies, differences in ethical standards, regulatory frameworks, and cultural values can lead to conflicts regarding what constitutes acceptable research practices. Researchers must also address the fair distribution of interventions developed through their work—such as vaccines or treatments—so that benefits do not disproportionately favor wealthy nations while neglecting high-burden, resource-limited regions. Lastly, the dual-use dilemma—where scientific findings intended for beneficial purposes could be misused for harmful applications—requires careful oversight without stifling legitimate research. Addressing these challenges demands robust ethical review processes, transparent communication with the public, culturally sensitive approaches, and international cooperation to ensure that infectious disease research advances global health while respecting human dignity and rights.