Conflicts of Interest in Research: How IRBs Address Their Own Conflicts

Publication Title

IRB: Ethics & Human Research

Authors

Leslie E. Wolf, Georgia State University College of LawFollow
J. Zandecki

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Abstract

We conducted this study to determine whether medical schools address conflicts of interest among their IRB members and staff, and, if so, in what ways. We analyzed the conflict of interest policies for 121 U.S. medical schools whose research is funded by the National Institutes of Health. About three-quarters of the schools we studied have written policies that address IRB conflicts of interest, and almost 80% of them defined the term, although their definitions varied substantially. The majority of IRBs explicitly prohibit a conflicted member from participating in discussion and voting, but few explicitly prohibit serving as a reviewer or extend their policies to cover IRB staff. This illustrates important gaps in these policies. A few policies even conflict with federal requirements. More specific policies might improve consistency and increase confidence in the integrity of IRB oversight.

Read more: http://www.thehastingscenter.org/Publications/IRB/Detail.aspx?id=1028#ixzz3pQXM68jt We conducted this study to determine whether medical schools address conflicts of interest among their IRB members and staff, and, if so, in what ways. We analyzed the conflict of interest policies for 121 U.S. medical schools whose research is funded by the National Institutes of Health. About three-quarters of the schools we studied have written policies that address IRB conflicts of interest, and almost 80% of them defined the term, although their definitions varied substantially. The majority of IRBs explicitly prohibit a conflicted member from participating in discussion and voting, but few explicitly prohibit serving as a reviewer or extend their policies to cover IRB staff. This illustrates important gaps in these policies. A few policies even conflict with federal requirements. More specific policies might improve consistency and increase confidence in the integrity of IRB oversight.

Read more: http://www.thehastingscenter.org/Publications/IRB/Detail.aspx?id=1028#ixzz3pQXM68jt

Recommended Citation

Leslie E. Wolf & Jolanta Zandecki, Conflicts of Interest in Research: How IRBs Address Their Own Conflicts, IRB: Ethics & Hum. Rsch., Jan.-Feb. 2007, at 6.

Institutional Repository Citation

Leslie E. Wolf & J. Zandecki, Conflicts of Interest in Research: How IRBs Address Their Own Conflicts, Faculty Publications By Year 2127 (2007)
https://readingroom.law.gsu.edu/faculty_pub/2127

Volume

29

Issue

1

First Page

6

Last Page

12