Data monitoring committees: the moral case for maximum feasible independence

Since data monitoring committees (DMCs) began to be established in the 1970s, they have reviewed the clinical outcome data emerging from ongoing trials. The thesis of this essay is that DMCs most effectively promote the validity and credibility of randomized clinical trials when they perform this function with the maximum feasible independence. The essay argues that four types of individuals and groups should be excluded from the interim monitoring of outcome data: (1) investigators entering patients into a trial; (2) principal investigators or study chairs; (3) representatives of commercial firms connected with a trial; and (4) representatives of regulatory agencies. The role of statistical groups and officials of government funding agencies in the review of outcome data is also discussed.