Question

What is the primary responsibility of oversight bodies (such as an institutional review board [irb] or institutional animal care and use committee [iacuc])?

a) Ensuring financial transparency
b) Monitoring employee performance
c) Safeguarding the rights and well-being of research subjects or animals
d) Conducting market research

Answer 1

Oversight bodies such as IRBs and IACUCs are responsible for ensuring the ethical treatment of human and animal research subjects, respectively, including minimizing risk and securing informed consent.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The primary responsibility of oversight bodies such as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is to safeguard the rights and well-being of research subjects or animals. These committees ensure that research complies with federal regulations and ethical standards, particularly in relation to the humane treatment of subjects and the informed consent process.
2. The IRB reviews research proposals involving human participants, ensuring risks are minimized, benefits are maximized, and informed consent is obtained. The IACUC reviews proposals involving animal subjects, ensures humane treatment, and conducts semi-annual inspections of research facilities. Universities and research institutions establish these oversight bodies to protect research subjects and maintain ethical research practices.

The IRB ensures that proper guidelines are followed for research involving human participants, while the IACUC reviews proposals for research involving non-human animals and ensures their humane treatment. These committees are responsible for approving research projects and monitoring their progress to protect the rights and well-being of participants or animals involved.