The functions of human subjects review committees.
After summarizing the literature on the functioning of committees set up to review research involving human subjects, the author describes three latent or emerging functions of these committees. These include using the committees to protect institutions, to judge proposed research in terms of possible social policy impact, and to consider proposed research from the standpoint of "community acceptability". The author expresses concern about the possible politicization of review committee decisions.
D026724:Ethical Review; D004989:Ethics; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D006805:Human Experimentation; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D011639:Public Opinion; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012924:Social Conditions; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services