What is the minimum number of members required for an IRB according to the Common Rule?

The minimum number of members required for an Institutional Review Board (IRB) according to the Common Rule is five. This requirement is established to ensure that the IRB has a diverse understanding and perspective when reviewing research proposals. A larger and more varied membership promotes comprehensive evaluation of the proposed research's ethical implications, risks, and benefits, and ensures that decisions are made with a variety of viewpoints considered. Having multiple members also helps to mitigate potential biases that could arise if the board were too small or homogeneous.

Incorporating individuals with different expertise and backgrounds not only enhances the quality of the review process but also aligns with the ethical principles of respect, beneficence, and justice that are fundamental to human subjects research. This structure is crucial to uphold the protection of participants and ensure the integrity of the research process, reflecting the collaborative and multifaceted nature of ethical evaluations in human research.