KIE: The history of hospital ethics committees (HECs) since the early 1970s is reviewed through literature citations and reports of the experiences of functioning committees. Other types of hospital review committees and their relationship to HECs are described, as well as the problems and successes of early ethics committees. The influence of the American legal system on medical decision making and the formation of ethics committees is discussed, and reasons are given for hospitals' reluctance to establish committees, or to utilize those already in existence. Rosner concludes with a discussion of a proposed model for ethics committees, and urges caution in evaluating the role of committees in resolving ethical dilemmas.