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Journal of Medical Ethics 2007;33:39-42; doi:10.1136/jme.2005.014688
Copyright © 2007 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Institute of Medical Ethics.

RESEARCH ETHICS

Research ethics

Should research ethics committees be told how to think?

G M Sayers

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Gwen M Sayers
Department of General and Geriatric Medicine, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, UK; gwen.sayers{at}imperial.ac.uk

Research ethics committees (RECs) are charged with providing an opinion on whether research proposals are ethical. These committees are overseen by a central office that acts for the Department of Health and hence the State. An advisory group has recently reported back to the Department of Health, recommending that it should deal with (excessive) inconsistency in the decisions made by different RECs. This article questions the desirability and feasibility of questing for consistent ethical decisions.


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Davies, H, Wells, F, Czarkowski, M (2009). Standards for research ethics committees: purpose, problems and the possibilities of other approaches. J. Med. Ethics 35: 382-383 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • McGuinness, S (2008). Research ethics committees: the role of ethics in a regulatory authority. J. Med. Ethics 34: 695-700 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Elliott, L, Hunter, D (2008). The experiences of ethics committee members: contradictions between individuals and committees. J. Med. Ethics 34: 489-494 [Abstract] [Full Text]  

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