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THE YEAR HUMANKIND OVERCAME ILLNESS
Humanity is now waging a war with high hopes of being victorious. Part of this result is due to research into and development of new therapeutic options, from the new vaccines being proposed to medications being developed. None of this could be carried out without clinical research and studies involving human subjects. In this issue we examine all of the ethical and scientific aspects of the involvement of human beings as research subjects. Humanity has built up its discoveries through the scientific method, but it is important to remember that human beings must be treated in accordance with three maxims when involved in scientific research: respect for individuality, justice, and the constant effort to work on behalf of their wellbeing. The guild of scientists has taken giant steps in this area, producing various documents that serve as the basic pillars of research with human subjects, including the Nuremberg Code, the Belmont Report, the Declaration of Helsinki, and guides to good clinical practices.
Humanity is at a point of no return, moving toward a universe in which the human being is called to be the center of everything. It is only thus that we shall be able to conquer our microcosm and begin to explore our macrocosm. Cordially yours.
Marco Cid, Director studied pharmaceutical chemistry at the Universidad La Salle before earning an MBA from the ITESO and a management degree from the IPADE Business School. He is an expert in medical research and development, an entrepreneur, the founder of various non-profit and for-profit enterprises, and the creator of a private capital investment fund.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
We are approaching the end of the year 2020. It is known to all that it was an extraordinary year, defying all logic. Humankind never expected to experience, in its own flesh and blood, a pandemic of this dimension. The beginning was complex and confusing, as we failed to see or understand what was going on: the virus took us all by surprise, and to everyone’s astonishment, we had to step back and protect ourselves. Little by little we are beginning to see different options, new treatments, possible vaccines, and ways of detecting the illness more quickly and more effectively. Many, however, were unable to pass the test and have lost the battle.
