Why would an IRB defer a proposal to the next meeting after a member's recusal?

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) operates under specific regulations and guidelines that require a certain number of members to be present for a valid vote on a proposal. If a member recuses themselves due to a conflict of interest or other reason, this can potentially reduce the quorum needed for a decision. By deferring the proposal to the next meeting, the IRB ensures that a sufficient number of members are available to participate in the vote, maintaining the integrity and robustness of the review process. This deferral is crucial for upholding ethical standards and regulatory compliance within the review process.

The other choices, while they pertain to relevant actions or considerations, do not directly address the immediate concern of having enough voting members available due to the recusal, making them less relevant to the scenario presented.