Upholding Ethical Accountability in Ethnobotany and Ethnobiology Research

Ethical accountability is a cornerstone of ethnobotany and ethnobiology research involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This editorial affirms that formal institutional ethics review should never be bypassed, even when such processes fall short in addressing cultur- ally specific contexts. We advocate that, when conventional ethics review procedures appear inad- equate, researchers must engage in proactive dialogue with their institutions to negotiate appropriate modifications or exemptions that respect the cultural protocols of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. In the field, scholars should prioritize genuine collaboration and actively involve community leaders and members in the design, implementation, and dissemination of research projects. Moreover, journal submissions should provide transparent documentation of both institu- tional ethics approval and details on the culturally specific ethical practices followed throughout the project. This dual approach not only upholds rigorous ethical standards, but also promotes research that is respectful, inclusive, and responsive to the values and needs of the communities involved. By encouraging continuous ethics reflection, learning, and reform (if needed), this editorial envisions a research framework that not only meets legal and institutional requirements, but also honors and empowers traditional knowledge holders and their communities.

Fil: Vandebroek, Ina. University of the West Indies. Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRIB). Faculty of Science and Technology, Kingston; Jamaica.

Fil: Stepp, J. R. University of Florida. Department of Anthropology; USA.

Fil: Kunwar, Ripu. Tribhuvan University. Centre for Applied and Science and Technology; Nepal.

Fil: Hilgert, Norma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina.

Fil: Pulido Silva, María Teresa. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas; México.

Fil: Ladio, Ana H. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina.

Fil: Ladio, Ana H. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentina.

Fil: Clement, Charles R. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus; Brazil.

Fil: Ferreira Júnior, Washington Soares. Universidade de Pernambuco, Nazaré da Mata; Brazil.

Fil: Towns, Alexandra M. Honors College, Towson University, Towson; USA.

Fil: Borokini, Israel. Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman; USA.