10 All WHO staff members who wish to include or use published or unpublished analyses of data relating to human beings in a publication should seek to ensure that an appropriate ethics approval was obtained prior to the collection of data. If the data are from research studies that were technically or financially supported by WHO, it must be ensured that prior approval was obtained from the relevant WHO ethics review committee. If the data have been collected and analysed pursuant to a statutory regulation in a country, no prior ethics approval is required. The analysis of stored data and/or samples for purposes other than that for which they were originally collected must be covered by an appropriate ethics review and approval. Approval of the relevant WHO ethics review committee must be sought if the analysis is supported by WHO.
20 Even if a publication will include data from interventions that do not constitute research, care must be taken to respect the rights and dignity of the people who are involved or from whom the information is obtained. People obtaining data from individuals or institutions should always obtain consent or permission, be respectful and transparent in their approach, and be mindful of cultural diversity.
