A perspective from Latin America about ethics and humanism in medical research

Authors

Keywords:

health research, humanism, Latin America, medical ethics, social justice

Abstract

Introduction: Medical research in Latin America faces complex ethical dilemmas that international frameworks such as the Declaration of Helsinki do not fully address. The region’s profound social inequalities and cultural diversity demand more context-sensitive approaches.

Objective: To analyze how the integration of ethical principles and humanistic values can strengthen medical research in Latin America, with an emphasis on social justice and cultural responsibility.

Development: From an interdisciplinary perspective, the article examines ethical dilemmas related to research involving vulnerable populations, clinical trials, experimentation with new technologies, and equitable access to research findings. It proposes that the inclusion of humanistic education, community participation, and critical reflection in ethics committees can enhance scientific practices.

Conclusions: Integrating ethics and humanism into medical research is essential to addressing the challenges faced by Latin America. This fusion supports the development of more just, empathetic, and culturally relevant practices, particularly in countries such as Mexico and Peru.

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Author Biographies

Henry César Rivas Sucari, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

Henry César Rivas Sucari, Master's in Peruvian and Latin American Literature from the National University of San Marcos, is a doctoral candidate at the same institution. He has specialized in Higher Education, Virtual Education, Academic Research, and Andragogy.

Ana Maria Flores Núñez, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola

PhD candidate in Latin American Literature at the Catholic University of Peru; full-time professor at San Ignacio de Loyola University. She has published in leading journals on the relationship between the humanities and health sciences.

Carlos Milton Manrique Rabelo , Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

PhD candidate in Latin American Literature from the Catholic University of Peru; professor at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences. He has published in leading journals on literature, humanities, and health sciences.

Sandra Alicia Rivas Sucari, Universidad de Tarapacá

Master's degree in Management Engineering from the University of Tarapacá. Researcher specializing in humanities and health sciences; she provides consulting services on academic research.

José Luis Rodríguez Eguizabal , Universidad Tecnológica del Perú

PhD candidate in Literature from the National University of San Marcos. Full-time professor at the Technological University of Peru. Researcher specializing in social sciences, culture, and health sciences.

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Published

2025-12-06

How to Cite

1.
Rivas Sucari HC, Flores Núñez AM, Manrique Rabelo CM, Rivas Sucari SA, Rodríguez Eguizabal JL. A perspective from Latin America about ethics and humanism in medical research. Rev. cuba. med. mil [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 6 [cited 2025 Dec. 29];54(4):e025076843. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/76843

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 4 (2025): October - December

Section

Opinion Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Henry César Rivas Sucari, Ana Maria Flores Núñez, Carlos Milton Manrique Rabelo , Sandra Alicia Rivas Sucari, José Luis Rodríguez Eguizabal

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