Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)?
Group of answer choices
Review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects
Protect the integrity of research processes
Ensure that human subjects participating in research derive maximum benefit
Minimize people’s restrictions on freedom of choice
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects.
Explanation:
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are committees established to review and monitor biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects. Their primary purpose is to ensure the ethical treatment, rights, and welfare of human participants. The IRB plays a critical role in protecting individuals by assessing potential risks and benefits associated with research studies and ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities of IRBs:
- Assessing Risks and Benefits: IRBs evaluate whether the potential benefits of a study outweigh the risks to participants. They seek to minimize harm while ensuring that the study’s design is ethically sound.
- Ensuring Informed Consent: The IRB ensures that researchers provide participants with adequate information about the study, including its purpose, risks, and potential benefits. This empowers participants to make informed decisions about their involvement.
- Monitoring Ethical Compliance: By reviewing research protocols, IRBs ensure that studies adhere to ethical principles outlined in documents like the Belmont Report, the Declaration of Helsinki, and federal regulations, such as the U.S. Common Rule.
- Protecting Vulnerable Populations: IRBs provide additional oversight when studies involve vulnerable populations, such as children, prisoners, or individuals with cognitive impairments, to prevent exploitation or undue influence.
Misconceptions Addressed:
- IRBs do not ensure maximum benefit to participants, as the focus is on balancing risks and benefits.
- Their role is not to protect the integrity of research processes in a broad sense; that responsibility often lies with other entities, such as research institutions.
- Lastly, IRBs do not primarily aim to minimize restrictions on freedom of choice but instead ensure that participation is voluntary and informed.
Thus, the IRB’s central mission is to safeguard human subjects in research by upholding ethical principles and legal standards.