Abstract

SANCHEZ-AGUIRRE, Oscar Antonio; LINARES-MARQUEZ, Pascual; SANCHEZ-MEDINA, Alberto  and  CANO-ASSELEIH, Leticia Margarita. Bioethical Considerations for Scientific Research of Medicinal Plants Against Cancer in Mexico. rev.latinoam.bioet. [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.1, pp.45-60.  Epub July 23, 2021. ISSN 1657-4702.  https://doi.org/10.18359/rlbi.5010.

The present reflection paper reviews bioethical aspects in scientific studies of plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer in Mexico. The knowledge of medicinal plants documented in traditional medicine is related to diseases such as cancer. This disease has high mortality rates worldwide, increasing the need for new chemotherapy drugs. Here medicinal plants play an important role. Thus, when executing a study of medicinal plants, fundamental bioethical aspects for traditional medicine such as sampling, phytochemical and biological study in cancer cell lines, based on current regulations, international standards of the National Cancer Institute and, mainly, the four basic principles of bioethics, should be considered. We conclude that it is the task of the scientific community to endorse or deny the traditional use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. The study of plant species must meet criteria where theory, research and practice offer long-term solutions and the ethical protection of plant species, traditional knowledge and patients who resort to this alternative.

Keywords : bioethical topics; traditional medicine; medicinal plants; cancer care; indigenous peoples.

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