Institutional Review Board (IRB) Shopping- Accessible for Public Comment

Abstract

Context: IRB Forum Shopping is an under-researched yet highly-relevant ethical issue in the context of clinical research. IRB members review the proposed research methods to ensure the ethical principles. The IRB has the authority to approve or disapprove the research proposals that fall within the institutional policy and adheres to SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). When the research project has obtained an unfavorable or conditional IRB review, the researcher bypass the process of addressing the IRB’s decision by deserting the IRB and selecting another forum that will provide favorable review. Currently, proposed regulations to prohibit IRB shopping are available for public comment. The FDA report made clear that no empirical evidence exists to support the widespread of IRB shopping.