|
Planning Meeting
|
The Behavioral Sciences and
|
Human Subjects’ Protections
|
April 1, 2009
|
Keck Center of the National Academies
|
Room 100
|
The past decade has seen considerable activity related to increasing protection for research participants in all areas of science. However, there have been serious considerations of the unintended consequences that sometimes result, seen in what has been called “mission creep” and sometimes in the misunderstanding of, and misapplication of, the regulations that guide the process, resulting in concerns that this could diminish human subject protections and taint the research process. The informal Human Subjects Planning Meeting, hosted by the Board on Behavioral, Cognitive and Sensory Sciences at the National Research Council, is intended to explore the possibilities for moving ahead on such matters.
This meeting will bring together researchers from the behavioral sciences and medicine, together with laypeople, research subjects, government representatives and policy makers who have responsibilities related to the protection of human subjects, professional societies, and other stakeholders, with the intent of making progress in the human subjects enterprise, particularly as this is related to the often unique circumstances of the behavioral and social sciences. One possible goal for this proposed activity would be the development of consensus guidance for IRBs. Another might be to identify best practices and solutions across a variety of disciplines (anthropology, linguistics, psychology, sociology). Although there is some overlap, these areas often have different methodological approaches than the biomedical sciences and varying ethical standards. Many professional societies have grappled with these issues over the years and it might help to take advantage of, and systematize, this considerable body of work and knowledge.
The goal is to help produce results that would have tangible and substantial benefits to research subjects, researchers, IRBs, institutions, regulators, and policy makers. The focus of the April 1, 2009 planning meeting will be determining whether or not this is possible and, if so, how best to proceed.
To view the Meeting Agenda, please Click Here
To view Meeting Presentations and listen to Presentation Audio, please Click Here
|
