THE ROLE OF LOCAL ETHICS COMMITTEES: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH IN KAZAKHSTAN

Ethics committees are central in regulating, monitoring, and enforcing ethical standards in biomedical and public health research. They perform advisory and authorization functions to protect participants’ rights, safety, and dignity, ensuring that research projects comply with local and international standards such as the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report. In Kazakhstan, the main institutions of ethical oversight are the Central Bioethics Commission (CBC) and Local Bioethics Commissions (LBCs), which seek to adapt their processes to global standards. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, functions, and challenges facing these bodies, including insufficient standardization of procedures, problems of interaction with researchers, and lack of resources, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Particular attention is paid to contemporary challenges, such as the development of biomedical technologies (e.g., gene editing and artificial intelligence), the need to engage local communities, and the adaptation of approaches to ethical oversight in a changing social and technological landscape. Historical aspects of ethical standard setting, beginning with the Nuremberg Code, and the role of self-experimentation in scientific research are also discussed. The article’s conclusion emphasizes the importance of strengthening the system of ethical regulation through improved training of committee members, increased international cooperation, and the integration of new technologies. These measures are necessary to improve research quality, protect participants’ rights, and successfully adapt to modern challenges.