What role do Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play in research ethics?

What role do Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play in research ethics?

• A. They assign patients to treatments.
• B. They fund the research.
• C. They review and approve research involving humans to protect rights and welfare, ensure risk-benefit balance, and monitor ongoing studies.
• D. They manage hospital finances.

Answer: (C)

IRBs exist to safeguard people who participate in research. They review research plans involving humans before the study starts to ensure the risks are minimized and reasonable in relation to potential benefits, that the rights and welfare of participants are protected, and that the informed consent process is appropriate and voluntary. They also monitor ongoing studies, approve any protocol changes, and can halt a study if new risks emerge or ethical standards aren’t met. This is distinct from assigning treatments, which is part of the study design or clinical practice; funding the research, which comes from sponsors; or managing hospital finances, which is an administrative function.

IRBs exist to safeguard people who participate in research. They review research plans involving humans before the study starts to ensure the risks are minimized and reasonable in relation to potential benefits, that the rights and welfare of participants are protected, and that the informed consent process is appropriate and voluntary. They also monitor ongoing studies, approve any protocol changes, and can halt a study if new risks emerge or ethical standards aren’t met. This is distinct from assigning treatments, which is part of the study design or clinical practice; funding the research, which comes from sponsors; or managing hospital finances, which is an administrative function.