HIV Phylogenetics Acceptability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A rapid ethical assessment of the use of phylogenetics for public health interventions in HIV
IRAS ID
228210
Contact name
Larissa Mulka
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton and Sussex Universities NHS Hospitals Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Rapid advances in sequencing and phylogenetic techniques offer exciting new possibilities for public health interventions in HIV, including the real-time creation of 'transmission-networks' made up of individuals HIV virus genes, helping detect risk groups, and assist with interventions including contact tracing, as has occurred in Canada, and is being planned in the USA. There are however several significant ethical issues associated with its use in this context; creating transmission networks using HIV genetic data may raise concerns regarding privacy, disclosure and even criminalisation. This study aims to determine what patient barriers and concerns may arise from the use of their phylogenetic data for public health interventions, and to create a framework for its acceptable use, guiding its application in potential research studies and public health interventions in the future.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1795
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion