Research involving only specimens from deceased individuals is classified as human subjects research. Is this statement true or false?

The statement is false because research involving only specimens from deceased individuals does not meet the definition of human subjects research as outlined in federal regulations. Human subjects research specifically refers to activities that involve living individuals from whom data is collected through intervention or interaction, or from whom identifiable private information is obtained. Since specimens taken from deceased individuals do not involve living subjects, this type of research does not fall under the protections established for human subjects.

While there may be ethical considerations in the use of such specimens, they do not trigger the same protections concerning informed consent and review by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) that are applicable to living subjects. Hence, the classification of research involving only deceased specimens as human subjects research is incorrect.