Responding to the changing landscape of national health research system, the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) led by its Chair, Dr. Leonardo de Castro launched the 2011 edition of the National Ethical Guidelines for Health Research during the 30^th anniversary of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City last March 16, 2012.

The National Ethical Guidelines for Health Research 2011 is the updated version of the 2006 guidelines. Guidelines for carrying out researches on clinical trials, herbal medicine, complementary

and alternative medicine, epidemiological studies, social sciences, assisted reproductive technology were reviewed and revised to complement the changing demands of the research community.

“Heto na po ang pang-apat na edisyon ng ating National Ethics Guidelines. Ito po ay nararapat kasabay ng mga pagbabago ng ating siyensya [Here’s the fourth edition of the National Ethics Guidelines. This is necessary in response to the changing science],” explained Dr. de Castro.

To further ensure protection of the rights and dignity of the human participants involved in research, the 2011 edition included guidelines for the conduct of research on specific population including indigenous peoples, pediatric population, and older persons.

“Ito ay nagpapakita na ating tinutugunan ang mga isyu sa pagsasagawa ng pag-aaral na kaugnay ang mga tao [It shows that we respond to the issues in research which involve human participants],” said Dr. de Castro.

The 2011 version also featured new guiding principles for emerging technologies like biosimilars, nanotechnology and acupuncture. It also included guidelines on the research ethics review process.

“Maipagmamalaki natin na tayo ay isa sa mga naunang bansa sa buong daigdig at ahensya na nagkaroon ng national ethics guidelines. Ito po ang nagpapakilala kung gaano ka-importatnte para sa atin ang pagkakaroon ng batayan sa pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik (We can proudly say that we are one of those countries and agencies in the world who was able to produce its national ethics guidelines. It shows how much we value ethical standards in the conduct of research],” said Dr. de Castro.