1. ETHICS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH IN MYANMAR
Kyaw Moe1, New NweYee2 and Khin Wai3
1Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar),Yangon
2Department of Medical Research (Central Myanmar), Pyinmana
3Department of Medical Research (Upper Myanmar), Pyin Oo Lwin

2. Ministry of Health Ministry of Health
National Ethical Review Committee on Medical Research
Departmental Ethical Review Committees
Dept of
Health
Services
Dept of
Medical
Science
Dept of
Med Res
(Lower M)
Dept of
Med Res
(Upper M)
Dept of
Med Res
(Central M)
Dept of
Health
Planning
Dept of
Traditional
Medicine
University Ethical Review Committees
Universities of Medicine(4), Dental Medicine (2), Paramedical
Sciences (2), Pharmacy (2), Nursing (2), Community
Medicine (1)
Univ. of
Traditional
Medicine

3. National Ethical Review Committee
on Medical Research
Members
Deputy Minister of Health Chairperson
Director General, Department of Vice-chairperson
Medical Research (Lower Myanmar)
Director General, Department of Health Member
Director General, Department of Medical Member
Science
Director General, Department of Health Member
Planning
Director General, Department of Traditional Member
Medicine
Director General, Department of Member
Medical Research (Upper Myanmar)
Medical Research (Central Myanmar)

4. Members (contd.) Director General, National Archives Department Member
Deputy Director-General, Department of Medical Member
Research (Lower Myanmar)
Representative, Directorate of Medical Services, Member
Ministry of Defence
Representative, Attorney General’s Office Member
Representative, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Member
Association
Advisor, Department of Medical Research Member
(Lower Myanmar)
Director, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Member
Department
Professor of Psychology, Yangon University Member
Professor of Medicine, University of Medicine(1), Member
Yangon
Professor of Surgery, University of Medicine (1), Member
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Member
University of Medicine (1), Yangon

5. Members (contd.)
Professor of Child Health, University of Medicine (2), Member
Yangon
Professor of Pharmacology, University of Medicine (2), Member
Professor of Forensic Medicine, University of Medicine (1), Member
Director (Biomedical Research), Department of Medical Secretary
Research (Lower Myanmar)

6. Functions of the National Ethical
Review Committee
To lay down guidelines for the departmental and university
ethical review committees (ERCs)
To confirm the proposed members of the departmental
and university ERCs
To assess the research proposals approved by the
departmental and university ERCs
To review the research proposals forwarded by the
departmental and university ERCs for approval by the
National ERC

7. Departmental and University Ethical Review Committees
Members
Head of Department or University Chairperson
Directors or Professors (~ 3-4 nos.) Members
One or more intellectual non-medical Member
persons
One or more intellectual ladies Member
Director of Professor Secretary

8. Functions of the Departmental and University Ethical Review Committees
To follow guidelines laid down by the National Ethical
Review Committee for Medical Research
To review research proposals submitted to the committee
by researchers
To approve outright or after recommended alterations or
reject the submitted research proposals
To forward research proposals that need review and
approval by the National ERC
To submit a list of approved research proposals to the
National ERC

9. Operational Guidelines for ERCs
Operational Guidelines for the Ethical Review Committees for Medical Research are based on the three fundamental ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficences and justice, and also on national regulations and international recommendations

10. The Operational Guidelines for the Ethical
Review Committees for Medical Research
are based on the following references:
World Health Organization. Operational Guidelines for Ethics
Committees That Review Biomedical Research
World Health Organization. Surveying and Evaluating Ethical
Review Practices (complementary guideline to above)
Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences
(CIOMS), International Guidelines for Biomedical Research
Involving Human Subjects
World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical
Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects
1991 International Guidelines For Ethical Review Of
Epidemiological Studies

11. Undergraduate Curriculum
for Medical Ethics
AIM
To produce basic doctors who have the ability
to analyze and judge the ethical and legal issues
relevant to the practice of medicine

12. OBJECTIVES Cognitive domain
To understand basic ethical theories and principles
To understand and analyze ethical problems in patients,
their families and society within the context of Myanmar
culture
To promote logical and critical thinking in ethical issues in
patient’s care

13. To develop ability to judge and make systematic ethical
Psychomotor Domain
To develop ability to judge and make systematic ethical
decisions
To apply ethical principles in medical practice in health
care
To impart information to the patient regarding
management options in order that patients can participate
in decision making
To develop ability to counsel the patient properly
Affective Domain
To nurture the importance of ethical principles in every
professional decision making

14. Recent Workshops and Seminars
on Medical Ethics
Workshop on Ethical Issues in Research in
Reproductive Health, 5-8 September, 2005, Yangon
Seminar on Teaching of Medical Ethics, August
2005, Yangon
Workshop on Awareness Raising of Medical Ethics,
June, 2005, Yangon
Seminar on Ethical Issues in Medical Practice and
Research, October 2003, Yangon