Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:907-910
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
The functions of human subjects review committees
BH Gray
After summarizing the literature on the functioning of committees set up to
review research involving human subjects, the author describes three latent
or emerging functions of these committees. These include using the
committees to protect institutions, to judge proposed research in terms of
possible social policy impact, and to consider proposed research from the
standpoint of "community acceptability". The author expresses concern about
the possible politicization of review committee decisions.
