Recurrent Issues in the Review of Medical Research on Human Subjects
Albany Law Journal of Science & Technology, Forthcoming
Posted: 18 Feb 2010
Date Written: February 18, 2010
Abstract
Medical researchers must enlist the participation of human subjects to conduct their investigations. Some subjects are healthy; others are ill. All must understand, however, that the studies in which they participate are intended, wholly or in part, to benefit others rather than themselves. Individual institutions’ IRBs (Institutional Review Boards) bear the responsibility to review, evaluate, and approve or disapprove researchers’ plans to include human subjects in their investigations. This article suggests several approaches that IRB members may take in reviewing proposals for research projects involving human subjects. Each approach is intended to strike a reasonable balance among the competing considerations while allowing IRB members to fulfill their responsibilities to human subjects.
Keywords: Human subjects, IRB
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation