Confronting ethical challenges in long-term research programs in the tropics

 By Richard B. Primack

“The deepest and most original thinker is the farthest traveled.” Henry David Thoreau in his Journal.

 

Ecologists and conservation biologists conducting long-term research programs in the tropics must confront serious ethical challenges. In a recent article, researchers share their experiences and perspectives.  Four key points are made:

 

The first and primary responsibility of anyone visiting and working in another country and culture is to understand cultural differences and adapt to them as much as possible. 

 

Local field assistants working with BU Professor Chery Knott (center) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. (Photo © Tim Laman)

 

A second obligation is ensure that the research project brings added value to the local community, beyond simply paying for accommodation and support as would any other visitor (although that is important too!). 

 

Research Associate Poonam Rai discusses research project with community members outside Singalila National Park, in the Darjeeling Himalaya (India).  (Photo © Reinmar Seidler) 

 

A third responsibility among research programs is to share the resulting information and knowledge with local people, students, the scientific community, and government agencies. This often requires extra time and effort, yet it is imperative from both ethical and utilitarian viewpoints. 

 

Finally, researchers need to recognize that for the people who live in the midst of it, “biodiversity” is not always an unalloyed good. Researchers need to be empathetic concerns from the local community. 

 

This article appeared as:  Seidler et al. 2021.  Confronting ethical challenges in long-term research programs in the tropics. Biological Conservation https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108933