RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 New governance arrangements for research ethics committees: is facilitating research achieved at the cost of participants’ interest JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 318 OP 321 DO 10.1136/jme.28.5.318 VO 28 IS 5 A1 Cave, E A1 Holm, S YR 2002 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/28/5/318.abstract AB This paper examines the UK’s response to a recent European Clinical Trials Directive, namely the Department of Health, Central Office for Research Ethics Committee guidance, Governance Arrangements for NHS Research Ethics Committees. The revisions have been long awaited by researchers and research ethics committee members alike. They substantially reform the ethical review system in the UK. We examine the new arrangements and argue that though they go a long way toward addressing the uncertainty surrounding ethics committee function, the system favours the facilitation of research over the protection of the dignity and welfare of research participants.