Ethics Committee and and Good Practice in Research

Code of Good Practice in Research at the University of Murcia (CBPI)

The Code of Good Practice in Research (CBPI abbreviation in spanish) contains a series of recommendations intended to ensure the suitability of research work carried out at the University of Murcia, based on the ethical and legal rules in force.

They shall be considered as an individual commitment to be acquired by researchers in order to ensure best scientific practice.

Research work carried out at the University of Murcia shall comply with provisions set forth in the applicable ethical and legal rules, bearing in mind that:

• All research work involving the participation of people, the use of human biological samples or personal data shall be reviewed by a Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CEIC) as provided for in the Biomedical Research Law (LIB, in spanish, Ley de Investigación Biomédica)
   
• All research work with animals shall be reviewed by an Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (CEEA).
   
• All projects shall abide by the applicable legal regulations, both at national and regional level, and will seek out the relevant administrative authorisation if appropriate.
   
• Code of Good Practice in Research at the University of Murcia (approved by the Governing Council Session on 26 January 2022)

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In February 2002, the University of Murcia set up the “Bioethics Commission” in order to supervise from a legal and ethical point of view the research projects involving the participation of humans, the use of biological samples of human origin, animal testing and the use of biological agents, as well as the use of genetically modified organisms. Such Commission was mainly, but not exclusively, set up to comply with the rules contained in the different calls for research finance, requiring projects submitted to tender to have an express authorisation issued by the University Ethics Commission where research is going to take place.

This committee was created mainly, but not exclusively, to comply with the regulations contained in various calls for funding for research, which require that projects submitted for competition must have the express authorisation of the Ethics Committee of the centre where the research is to be carried out.

Currently, the Research Ethics Commission of the Universidad de Murcia has 4 commissions:

• Research Ethics Commission (CEI)
   
• Animal Testing Ethics Commitee (CEEA)
   
• Biosafety Committee on Testing (CBE)
   
• Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CEIC)
   
• Authorised Body (OH)

More information about the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidad de Murcia 

Structure of the Committees

In order to attend to the legislative changes and to adapt the structure to the needs of specialisation, a Committee has been set up, composed of members of the Ethics Commission of the University of Murcia and external experts. The Committees are the following:

• Animal Testing Ethics Commitee (CEEA), for the use of Animals in Research.
   
• Biosafety Committee on Testing (CBE), for research using biological agents, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), toxic and/or radioactive agents.
   
• Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CEIC), for researchers who collect personal data, use samples of human origin or involve direct participation of human subjects.
   
• Authorised Body (OH) who independently controls and inspects the experimental processes.

Regulations and application forms

Code of Ethics of the Universidad de Murcia

In order to turn the University into the fairest and most honest version possible, the Code of Ethics of the University of Murcia was approved in 2016, which was drafted following a collaboration process among all the groups that are part of the University.

The four main values upon which it is based, Commitment, Dialogue, Respect and Accountability, shall guide all actions and relations of the University community. Therefore, it is our priority to disseminate the Code of Ethics at all levels within the University of Murcia, in an attempt to fully understand it and implement it.

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