The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued guidelines on code of conduct for research scientists engaged in the field of life sciences to ensure that all research activities involving microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, are only of types and in quantities that have justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes.

According to the guidelines, in order to prevent the use of scientific research for purposes of bio-terrorism or bio-warfare, all persons and institutions engaged in all aspects of scientific research should abide by this code of conduct which are governed by a set of principles including principles of non-maleficence to ensure that the discoveries of biomedical research scientists and knowledge generated do no harm to humans, animals, plants and environment.

The scientists have to refrain to engage in any research that is intended or likely to facilitate, bio-terrorism or bio-warfare, and should not contribute to the development, production or acquisition of microbial or other biological agents or toxins, whatever their origin or method of production, of types and/or in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective, therapeutic, or other peaceful purposes.

As per the guidelines, the scientists should take due precautions to protect self and others from any harmful effects and reporting immediately to concerned authorities if any untoward incident happens or likely to happen.

Under the principles of beneficence, the scientists have to ensure that legitimate benefits are being sought and that they out-weigh the risks and harms. The scientists work for the ethical and beneficent advancement, development and use of scientific knowledge.

The code of conduct is also governed by principles of risk minimization, principle of confidentiality, principle of ethical review, principles of transmission of ethical values, principles of voluntariness, principles of compliance, principles of institutional arrangements, principles of totality of responsibility and principles of research integrity.

Ethical considerations in this code of conduct would be binding on all laboratory scientists involved in scientific research concerning dangerous organisms and toxic weapons against any living being or environment.

The ICMR's guideline is significant as advances in laboratory technologies in the recent times have created new and complex ethical dilemmas in their wake. Laboratory services are an integral part of disease diagnosis, treatment, response monitoring, surveillance programmes and research. Therefore, personnel working in clinical and/or research laboratories should be aware of their ethical responsibilities. It is necessary to comply with the ethical code of conduct prescribed by national and international organisations, and address the emerging ethical, legal and social concerns in the field of biological and biomedical sciences.