An Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), also known as an Institutional Review Board (IRB), is a critical part of biomedical and health research involving human participants. An IEC must be multidisciplinary and multisectoral, which usually consists of 8 to 15 members to make sure balanced and independent decision-making.
Who are the members of IEC?
The IEC comprises several members from outside the research institution from different backgrounds, to ensure impartial and independent decision-making.
- Chairperson (external) - leads meetings
- Member Secretary (internal) - Coordinates IEC activities, maintains records and communication
- Basic Medical Scientists - Provides scientific and methodological input
- Clinicians - Evaluates clinical relevance
- Legal Expert - Advises on legal and regulatory compliance
- Social Scientist/NGO Representative - Brings community and societal perspectives
- Philosopher/Ethicist/Theologian - Offers ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity
- Lay Person (community member) - Represents public interest and participant viewpoint
What are the Core Functions of IEC?
- Review and approval of research proposals
- Risk-Benefit Assessment
- Monitoring and Oversight
- Safeguarding vulnerable populations
- Record keeping and confidentiality
- Training and Capacity building
MBH/AB