The Tunnel at the End of the Light? A Critical Analysis of the Development of the Tri-Council Policy Statement

Canadian Journal of Law and Society, Volume 26, Number 1, 2011, pp. 159-176

19 Pages Posted: 9 Sep 2010 Last revised: 11 Oct 2015

See all articles by Cheluchi Onyemelukwe

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe

Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD)

Jocelyn Downie

Schulich School of Law & Faculty of Medicine

Date Written: August 9, 2010

Abstract

In 1998, the three major government funding Councils put in place the Tri-Council Policy Statement to regulate all research involving humans in Canada conducted at institutions funded by them. In this paper, we examine the process of developing the TCPS, an historic and very important document in Canada’s research ethics landscape, and the application of the democratic values of legitimacy, transparency, representation, accountability, and community engagement in that process. We argue that efforts were made to ensure basic democratic values in the process, but that these attempts should have been taken farther. This examination is a timely exercise in light of the new draft now being prepared to replace the current version of the Tri-Council Policy Statement. We also consider this ongoing process of establishing a new edition and reflect on lessons to be learned.

Suggested Citation

Onyemelukwe, Cheluchi and Downie, Jocelyn, The Tunnel at the End of the Light? A Critical Analysis of the Development of the Tri-Council Policy Statement (August 9, 2010). Canadian Journal of Law and Society, Volume 26, Number 1, 2011, pp. 159-176, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1674476

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe (Contact Author)

Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD) ( email )

Nigeria

Jocelyn Downie

Schulich School of Law & Faculty of Medicine ( email )

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4H9
Canada

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