Ethics in research projects: a shift in scale toward operational ethics

Abstract

Ethical reflection in the context of research projects is essential to consider the impacts of research. INRAE has developed tools to support this reflection, thereby meeting the demands of researchers, institutions, and society. The two resources—a self-assessment ethical questionnaire and an ethics committee for research projects—enable scientists to autonomously analyse their projects, and to obtain an independent ethics assessment. The questionnaire thus promotes critical self-analysis, while the ethics committee issues recommendations and opinions. The proposed approach extends reflection beyond traditional considerations regarding the involvement of individuals or animals in experiments, and includes in particular an analysis of the consequences of projects in terms of their impact on society, the environment, and ecosystems.