Oversight bodies, such as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs), play an important role in research. These bodies are responsible for ensuring the ethical and humane treatment of both human and animal research participants and upholding the high standards of research integrity. As such, the primary responsibility of oversight bodies is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and to ensure research is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines. In this article, the purpose and function of IRBs and IACUCs will be discussed, as well as the types of research activities these committees oversee and the ethical considerations that must be taken into account when conducting research.
What is the Purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
An IRB is a committee established by academic institutions, such as universities and research centers, to review research projects involving human participants to ensure that the rights and welfare of the participants are safeguarded and all research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines. The primary responsibility of an IRB is to review and approve research protocols, consent forms, and other related materials (e.g., research instruments) to ensure the proposed research is ethically conducted and the rights and welfare of participants are protected.
Under the Common Rule, all research involving human participants must be reviewed and approved by an IRB prior to the start of the research. The IRB must review the research protocol and consent forms, as well as any other related materials, to determine if the research is in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines and to ensure the rights and welfare of the participants are safeguarded. The IRB may also impose additional requirements, such as additional consent forms or changes to the research protocol, if necessary.
What is the Purpose of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?
An IACUC is a committee established by academic institutions, such as universities and research centers, to review and approve research activities involving the use of animals. The primary responsibility of an IACUC is to ensure that all research activities involving the use of animals are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines and to ensure the humane treatment of the animals.
Under the Animal Welfare Act and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, all research involving the use of animals must be reviewed and approved by an IACUC prior to the start of the research. The IACUC must review the research protocol and any other related materials, such as housing and care procedures, to determine if the proposed research is in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines and to ensure the humane treatment of the animals. The IACUC may also impose additional requirements, such as changes to the research protocol, if necessary.
What Types of Research Do IRBs and IACUCs Oversee?
IRBs and IACUCs oversee all types of research involving human and animal participants. Research activities overseen by IRBs include, but are not limited to, clinical trials, surveys, observational studies, and interviews. Research activities overseen by IACUCs include, but are not limited to, experiments, breeding studies, and behavioral studies.
What Ethical Considerations Must be Taken Into Account When Conducting Research?
When conducting research, it is important to consider the ethical implications of the research and to ensure that the rights and welfare of the participants are safeguarded. Research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to the individual’s right to make their own decisions and must be respected by providing adequate information and ensuring voluntary participation. Beneficence requires that the research be conducted in a manner that maximizes benefits and minimizes harms. Non-maleficence dictates that the risk of harm to participants must be minimized. Finally, justice requires that the risks and benefits of the research be fairly distributed.
Research involving animal participants must also be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy must be respected by providing humane care and treatment and ensuring that animals are not subjected to unnecessary suffering or distress. Beneficence requires that the research be conducted in a manner that maximizes benefits and minimizes harms. Non-maleficence dictates that the risk of harm to animals must be minimized. Finally, justice requires that the risks and benefits of the research be fairly distributed.
Conclusion
Oversight bodies, such as IRBs and IACUCs, play an important role in research. The primary responsibility of these bodies is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants and to ensure research is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines. IRBs and IACUCs oversee all types of research involving human and animal participants and must take into account ethical considerations when reviewing and approving research protocols. By ensuring that research is conducted ethically and in accordance with applicable regulations and guidelines, IRBs and IACUCs help to ensure the integrity of research and the protection of research participants.
