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CASE STUDY: Blood in the Lab*

A research lab was studying the biochemistry of white blood cells in certain disease states. Infected blood samples were acquired with informed consent, independently of the lab, and were received at the lab without identification. Most of the basic analysis was performed by fellows, occasional graduate students, medical school students on research rotations, technicians, and so forth. In the course of this work, samples of blood from unaffected individuals were needed as controls. It was common practice in this lab to draw blood from individuals working in the lab to use as controls, and everyone took a turn in donating. Blood was drawn by lab staff trained in venipuncture, using aseptic procedures. Jim, a new graduate student in the lab, refused repeatedly to donate his blood, explaining that he was "anemic." Other lab personnel felt that he was not being truthful and by refusing to donate was not a "team player." In fact, this graduate student was HIV-positive. Jim decided that he would rather be known as uncooperative than have his health status known throughout the lab.

Click on the link below that corresponds to the action you would take:

No further clarification is needed. This case does not involve human research issues.

Jim has a responsibility to tell his colleagues and the Lab Director about his condition.

Jim should donate and trust in the professionalism of his colleagues.

Jim should discuss the matter with the Lab Director or the Institutional Research Integrity Officer.