Ethics
An Ethical Approach to Innovative Research
UConn is committed to managing its wide-ranging stem cell research program according to the highest ethical standards. To fulfill this committment, the University has established the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (ESCRO). Its responsibility is to provide oversight of all ethical issues related to the derivation and research use of human stem cell lines at all of the university’s schools, colleges, campuses and research centers.
The ESCRO comprises faculty from both Storrs and the UConn Health Center with scientific, ethical and legal expertise, two community members, representatives from research compliance and two ordained clergy. The committee is chaired by Anne Hiskes, associate professor of philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The ESCRO’s charge is to ensure that sensitive research is justified and that inappropriate research is not conducted. This is especially important considering that the university’s stem cell research is carried out on two different campuses with distinctly different cultures.
To achieve the objective of unified and consistent standards for all stem cell research, the committee’s scope of responsibility covers all research, regardless of funding sources. It carefully reviews all proposals submitted by the university’s investigators for funding from the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Grant Project. While all requests for funding must be in compliance with federal, state and local regulations in order to be approved, ESCRO oversight further ensures that stem cell research at the University of Connecticut is carried out with the highest standards.
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Anne Hiskes, associate professor of philosophy and former associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is director of research ethics and education for stem cell research. She has been named by President Philip E. Austin to chair the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (ESCRO) Committee, which is charged with ensuring that stem cell research conducted by faculty at Storrs and the Health Center meets ethical standards. |