Sinai Health Bioethics Grand Rounds: Creating Ethical Space for First Nations Led or Partnered Biological Research | Virtual

Speakers:
Dr. Amy Bombay, PhD | Dalhousie University
Dr. Billie-Jo Hardy, PhD | University of Toronto

Abstract:
Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized groups are less likely to participate in research that involves the collection of biospecimens, in part due to past harms perpetrated by western scientists that have led to a reasonable mistrust towards outside scientists among many. That said, these factors influencing resistance to academic research are becoming less problematic with the implementation of Indigenous-specific research ethics guidelines, and with increasing capacity for research that is led by Indigenous communities, organizations, and researchers. This presentation will discuss our team’s initiative with the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation to create Ethical Space for First Nations led or partnered health research involving the exploration of human development and biology that considers Indigenous and Western Knowledge. Among other goals that will be discussed, this initiative is aimed at strengthening capacity in First Nations organizations, communities, and individuals to make informed decisions about participating in or leading research involving the assessment of biological factors. The story of how our team and this project came together will be shared, including an overview of the following sub-projects:

•  Indigenous Knowledge holder gatherings to discuss human development, biology and health

•  Partnering with Indigenous organizations and communities to implement and evaluate a training curriculum to strengthen capacity for First Nations led or partnered biological research

•  Assessing First Nations views towards different types of biological research

Click here to register.