Desafíos éticos para la investigación en Latinoamérica: una aproximación desde el punto de vista de los investigadores.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the ethical challenges faced by researchers in Latin America. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted with the participation of 31 Latin American researchers representing 6 countries. In the first phase, an online survey with an open-ended question was administered to the 31 researchers. In the second phase, a semi-structured interview involved 23 of these researchers. Findings: Six challenges for research ethics were identified: i) from and towards a global Latin America, ii) towards a culture of ethical research, iii) ethics within and outside of research, iv) human relationships in research, v) presence/absence of ethics committees, vi) COVID-19, a new scenario. Among the most relevant aspects raised by the participants were the generation of research sensitive to cultural variability that positively impacts local issues, the need to forge South-South alliances that define public policies on the subject, the reorientation of Latin American policies focused on the region, the promotion of research ethics training from the early stages of education, the opening of discussions on the subject in the region for the development of guidelines and increased awareness on this topic, reflection on the role of ethics committees as advisors and educators, flexibility in informed consent adaptable to diverse conditions and contexts, as well as specific challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]