Guidelines for Local Research Ethics Committees

Abstract

In August last year, for only the second time, the Department of Health issued guidelines on local research ethics committees. Initially the department (then the Ministry of Health) only drew hospital authorities' attention to guidelines issued by others concerning research on humans. Not until 1975 did the department make its own statement, and the present document is the definitive version of an earlier draft circular which contained the first departmental words on the subject for 14 years. Has it been worth waiting for? Do the guidelines serve what should be the twin aims of local ethics committees: protecting the public from harm and enhancing the conduct of good scientific research? As lay members of different local ethics committees we are concerned that this document is far from the clear and comprehensive statement that committees had the right to expect.