When facing a conflict between ethics considerations and legal obligations, which approach aligns with TCPS 2 guidance?

• A. Consult with colleagues, disciplinary associations, or lawyers to determine how best to resolve the conflict.
• B. Follow the law at all costs
• C. Prioritize legal obligations over ethics
• D. Design the research to avoid conflicts without consultation

Answer: (A)

When ethics and legal obligations clash, the recommended path is to seek guidance from those with the appropriate expertise—colleagues, disciplinary associations, or lawyers—to determine the best way forward. This reflects TCPS 2’s emphasis on informed, collaborative decision-making when obligations are not straightforward. Consulting with others helps interpret ethical principles (such as respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice) in the context of applicable laws and regulations, and it ensures that any action taken is defensible, lawful, and ethically sound. It also supports documenting the rationale for decisions and involving the right bodies (like an ethics board or institutional offices) to review and approve how to proceed. Simply following the law without ethical consideration, or prioritizing legal obligations over ethics, can undermine participant protection and ethical integrity. Likewise, trying to redesign the study to avoid conflicts without consultation bypasses essential deliberation and oversight.