Concerns About For-Profit Research Ethics Boards
Author Information
Author(s): Adil E. Shamoo, Elizabeth Woeckner
Primary Institution: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Should society allow research ethics boards to be run as for-profit enterprises?
Conclusion
The authors argue that there is a lack of data on the quality of for-profit versus non-profit IRBs, which raises concerns about the oversight provided by commercial IRBs.
Supporting Evidence
- The authors highlight inaccuracies in claims made about the oversight of for-profit IRBs.
- They emphasize the need for more data on the quality of IRB reviews.
Takeaway
The article discusses whether it's okay for research ethics boards to make money, and the authors think we need more information to decide if they're doing a good job.
Potential Biases
Potential bias exists due to the authors' affiliations and the nature of their work.
Limitations
The lack of universal human research protections limits the collection of data on IRB quality.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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