Ethical considerations in planning and conducting research on human subjects

The ethical conduct of research on humans requires more than a caring researcher and a legalistic adherence to federal regulations. It requires good planning and managing of issues accruing from the research relationship--communication, risk and perception of risk, and benefits--to all who have a stake in the relationship and outcome. In 1978 the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects in Biomedical and Behavioral Research identified ethical principles that should govern research on humans. Institutional review boards (IRBs) now exist in every organization that receives federal funding for human-subjects research. Researchers have an obligation to study the requirements of their IRB when they plan their research. Further, they must establish appropriate procedures for obtaining informed consent and assessing risk, risk perception, and ways to increase the benefits of research.