What are medical ethics, research ethics and clinical bioethics committees?

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals, in their daily practice, from time to time, face ethical dilemmas and doubts about the functions of committees and commissions governed by ethics and bioethics. It is imperative to clarify the attributions of these instances, in order to contribute to the practice of care and medical research. OBJECTIVES: This document aims to address in a practical way the characteristics and peculiarities of the Medical Ethics Committees, Research Ethics Committees and Clinical Bioethics, clarifying the functioning, the attributions, the objectives and the responsibilities of each of them. DISCUSSION: The Medical Ethics Committees monitor the ethical problems of the hospital, based on the verification of medical facts that have occurred and promoting preventive attitudes. Research Ethics Committees ensure the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of scientific research participants, and support the needs of researchers, promoting the discussion of ethical and legal aspects of research involving human beings. The Clinical Bioethics Commissions or Committees discuss and deliberate on the various conflicting aspects that involve activities related to mans life. CONCLUSION: Ethics, considered a human construction, is taken care of in the scope of these commissions, guaranteeing the proper conduct of the processes, with protection and trust between the individuals involved.