RELIGION AND RESEARCH ETHICS: WHERE DO THEY MEET?

Relatively little attention has been focused on the relationship between religion and the ethical principles governing the conduct of research with human beings. However, an examination of the similarities between ethical principles governing research and religious precepts demonstrates the degree to which ethical principles for research mirror other components and beliefs in life; underscores the universality of principles that underlie the ethical conduct of research; provides an alternative mechanism for explaining research ethics to investigators who may view the need to adhere to governing principles as intrusive and obstructive; offers a means of explaining to sonic research participants the researcher obligations that are associated with the conduct of research; and provides the researcher with both a basis and a vehicle for self-reflection. This article identifies some principles that appear to be common across many religions and utilizes Buddhism as a case study to examine the interface between religious tenets and ethical principles for research.