Under U.S. regulations, what is one of the responsibilities of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

One of the critical responsibilities of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research. The IRB plays a vital role in ensuring that ethical standards are met and that participants are treated with respect and care throughout the research process. This includes reviewing research proposals to assess potential risks to participants, ensuring informed consent is obtained, and that the research complies with institutional, federal, and ethical guidelines.

In this context, the IRB’s focus on participant protection aligns with the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice, as outlined in the regulations governing human subjects research. By safeguarding the rights and welfare of participants, the IRB helps to maintain public trust in research and enhances the integrity of scientific inquiry.

Other options, such as facilitating research funding or conducting experiments, do not fall within the IRB's responsibilities. The role of the IRB is specifically focused on oversight of the ethical aspects of research involving human subjects rather than participating in the research itself or managing administrative functions like funding. Additionally, publishing research findings is generally the responsibility of the researchers and their institutions, not the IRB.