What is one of the reasonable objectives for IRB review?

The objective of minimizing risks to human subjects is central to the mission of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). IRBs are established to protect the rights, welfare, and wellbeing of individuals participating in research. By conducting thorough reviews of research proposals, IRBs assess the potential risks to participants against the anticipated benefits of the research. This involves evaluating study protocols, informed consent processes, and monitoring plans to ensure that any risks are identified, mitigated, and justified.

Focusing on minimizing risks helps ensure that studies are designed ethically and responsibly, allowing for the advancement of knowledge while maintaining respect for individuals who take part in research. The overarching goal is to safeguard participants from harm, which is paramount to the integrity and ethical conduct of research.

In contrast, ensuring financial benefits to participants is not a primary role of an IRB, as the board’s focus is on safety and ethical oversight rather than on financial aspects. Improvements to the Common Rule may be relevant to the evolution of regulations guiding research oversight, but they do not reflect a direct objective for individual IRB reviews. While facilitating quicker research approval can be a desirable outcome, it is secondary to ensuring participant safety and ethical standards in research practices.