What are the key international policy positions addressing Research Ethics Boards?
• The World Medical Association (WMA), in its Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, establishes general ethical guidelines. To begin, the well-being of the subject prevails over the interests of science and society (Art. 5). Furthermore, the WMA requires the protection (or respect) of rights and dignity, as well as the protection of vulnerable subjects. Researchers should take into account the relevant ethical norms within their jurisdiction as well as international norms. Finally, the principle requiring that the expected benefits of research outweigh inherent risks is brought forth (Art. 18). • UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005) contains a section that addresses REBs (Article 19).
• The World Medical Association (WMA), in its Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects (2008), establishes general ethical guidelines. To begin, the well-being of the subject prevails over the interests of science and society (Art. 5). Furthermore, the WMA requires the protection (or respect) of rights and dignity, as well as the protection of vulnerable subjects. Researchers should take into account the relevant ethical norms within their jurisdiction as well as international norms. Finally, the principle requiring that the expected benefits of research outweigh inherent risks is brought forth (Art. 18). • UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005) contains a section that addresses REBs (Article 19). This section articulates the importance of the independence of research ethics committees and specifies that the role of REBs includes facilitating public education on the social, legal, and ethical issues surroundi
