Rethinking Value Pluralism in the Ethics of Sharing Benefits and Burdens in Collaborative Research

Abstract

The paper argues for an ethical consideration of value pluralism, which advocates for consideration and respect of differing values that emanate from diverging contexts and positionalities. Advancements in medical health research has resulted in tremendous increase in national and international collaborations, though with exploitative tendencies. Exploitation in collaborative research is however, avoidable if expected research benefits and burdens are shared fairly. Power imbalance dynamics from global north to south impound the ethical principle of fairness. The appreciation of multiplicity of values/benefits that are distinct, creates room for an embrace of the principle of autonomy which safeguards exploitation, by appreciating heterogeneous identity.

Keywords: Benefit and burden sharing, Collaborative research, Exploitation, Fairness/Justice, Value pluralism, heterogeneous identity

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/61-05

Publication date:September 30^th 2020