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SPECIAL ARTICLES:
Megan A. Moreno, Norman C. Fost, and Dimitri A. Christakis
Research Ethics in the MySpace Era
Pediatrics 2008; 121: 157-161 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
*P3Rs: Submit a response to this article

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[Read P3R] Ethical framework development
Emma L Angell   (3 July 2008)

Ethical framework development 3 July 2008
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Emma L Angell,
Research Associate
University of Leicester, UK

Send letter to journal:
Re: Ethical framework development

elj1{at}le.ac.uk Emma L Angell

I read, with interest, the article by Moreno et al. Whilst I applaud the authors for raising this important and topical subject, I had several concerns about the validity of their proposed ethical framework.

In broad terms, there is no mention of how the framework was developed. In the absence of information, I was forced to conclude that the ethical questions (and solutions) posed by the authors were purely the authors’ opinions. Specifically, were adolescents consulted in any way? Were they asked about their thoughts on investigators researching their MySpace pages or were they asked if the ethical troubles posed by the authors were shared by them?

The ethical framework proposed by the authors is described as one "to guide researchers, sponsors, and IRBs in making informed and appropriate decisions". Did the authors ask IRB members for their opinions? The framework will be of little practical use if IRBs feel that, at best, it adds nothing to their usual practices, or at worst, it contradicts their standards.

Consequently, the framework will be rendered useless by researchers and sponsors if adolescent MySpace users and IRBs do not endorse it. I was disappointed that the proposed solution to the important and topical question of research ethics and social networking amongst teenagers has not (apparently) been subjected to the appropriate level of scrutiny that it deserves.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared