Researchers in modern day Australia should be looking for ethical ways to conduct research on people, animals, in fact any living organism.

Modern ethical research involving human beings is guided by principles designed to protect and respect participants throughout the research process. Here's an overview of the basics explaining what is ethics in research:

1. Informed Consent: This principle ensures that participants are fully aware of what their involvement entails before agreeing to participate. Researchers must provide clear and comprehensive information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and any potential conflicts of interest.

   Participants must understand this information and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion. Consent must be obtained in writing, and participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

2. Respect for Persons: This principle underscores the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect. It involves recognizing the autonomy of participants to make their own decisions and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive additional protections.

   Respect for persons also means being transparent and honest about the research, avoiding deception unless it is justified and the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

3. Confidentiality: Researchers are obligated to protect participants' privacy by ensuring that any personal information collected is kept confidential. This involves securely storing data and restricting access to it, using anonymous techniques where possible and only sharing data in a manner that prevents the identification of individual participants.

   Breaches of confidentiality must be prevented to maintain trust and the integrity of the research.

4. Data Safety: Ensuring data safety involves implementing measures to protect research data from unauthorized access, loss, or damage. This includes using secure data storage systems, employing encryption, and having protocols in place for data management. Researchers must also be prepared to handle data breaches or other security issues promptly and effectively.

5. Participant Well-being: The well-being of participants is a central concern in ethical research. Researchers must ensure that the study does not harm participants physically, psychologically, or emotionally.

   This involves assessing and minimizing potential risks, providing appropriate support and resources if needed, and monitoring participants throughout the study. Ethical research also includes addressing any adverse effects or issues that arise during the study and ensuring that participants are debriefed and informed. AI is also revolutionizing the research process.

By adhering to these principles, researchers aim to conduct studies that are ethically sound and respectful of the rights and well-being of human participants.

The Three Rs of ethical animal research:

Ethical research on animals and living organisms prioritizes minimizing harm and ensuring welfare. Researchers must justify their work with significant potential benefits, use the least sentient subjects, and employ humane methods.

The principles of the 3Rs—Replacement (using alternatives when possible), Reduction (minimizing the number of subjects), and Refinement (enhancing procedures to reduce suffering)—guide practices.

Approval from ethics committees ensures compliance with legal and moral standards. Transparent reporting and ongoing review maintain accountability and integrity, ensuring that scientific progress does not come at the cost of unnecessary suffering.