Chapter 4: 110-exercise (page 283)

Who reviews? Government regulations require that institutional review boards consist of at least five people, including at least one scientist, one nonscientist, and one person from outside the institution. Most boards are larger, but many contain just one outsider.
a. Why should review boards contain people who are not scientists?
b. Do you think that one outside member is enough? How would you choose that member? (For example, would you prefer a medical doctor? A religious leader? An activist for patients’ rights?)

Short Answer

Expert verified

a. Review boards should contain people who are not scientists because they need to make sure they are representing individual participants and protecting them from harm.

b. No, I do not think that one outside member is enough.

Step by step solution

Step: 1Given:Who reviews? Government regulations require that institutional review boards consist of at least five people, including at least one scientist, one nonscientist, and one person from outside the institution. Most boards are larger, but many contain just one outsider.

I have to give an explanation for the above two statements.

Step 2:part a.A situation is given.a. Why should review boards contain people who are not scientists?

Reason part a.

Review boards should contain people who are not scientists because they need to make sure they are representing individual participants and protecting them from harm. We want to make sure normal, everyday people are on the board who are not interested in studies or future studies.

Step 3. b.A situation is given. b. Do you think that one outside member is enough? How would you choose that member? (For example, would you prefer a medical doctor? A religious leader? an activist for patients’ rights)

No, I do not think that one outside member is enough. We need to leave room for a variety of reasons, viewpoints, and perspectives from people inside and outside the scientific community.