What committees are responsible for monitoring the protection of human subjects?

In medical research, it’s important to make sure that subjects are kept safe from potential harm. In order to protect these people, there are several committees that monitor their protection. These include the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), who review proposed studies prior to approval and implementation, and Data Monitoring Committees, which oversee patient safety and integrity of data during an experiment.

Many organizations have Ethics Advisory Boards, which advise on the ethical aspects of their research. In some cases, researchers will need to consult an external independent committee if they are planning to carry out experiments with more vulnerable populations. Ultimately by involving multiple groups within the research process we can help ensure that all necessary precautions are taken so participants’ rights remain secure throughout.