Scientists have created entities using artificial intelligence technology. These “betas” appear to have human-like intelligence and emotions so they could, for example, serve as companions for people who are lonely. The scientists want to conduct psychological experiments on them to improve their performance and reliability. While betas are not protected by human subjects protection regulations, the scientists have asked your institutional review board to review the ethics of the experiments anyway. Read more
TAG ARCHIVES FOR compensation
You are a member of an IRB reviewing a study with an unusual feature: Because the study population will be very diverse economically, the investigator wants to vary the stipend based on each study participant’s financial situation. Her reasoning is that a fixed stipend for everybody would exploit high-income people but unduly influence low-income people. For the purposes of this survey, the investigator knows everyone's income. Read more
For this month’s question you are a member of a local IRB reviewing an influenza vaccine study. The investigator wants to ask enrolled study participants to help recruit additional study participants. The investigator wants to express her gratitude for this assistance. She has asked the IRB whether tangible expressions of gratitude, e.g., cash, would be acceptable. Read more
In April, PRIM&R hosted the webinar Compensation or Inducement? What IRBs Need to Know about Paying Subjects for Participation. Presented by Alex John London, PhD, and Betsy Ripley, MD, MS, RAC, this webinar provided foundational knowledge about the underlying ethical principles that govern compensating tresearch subjects. Through case studies, examples, and review of existing guidance and regulations, attendees learned strategies for evaluating payment to subjects for their participation in studies. Here, the presenters answer some of the questions time didn’t permit us to answer live. Read more
by Julie Fine, BS, Legal Specialist, Legal Division, Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc. (Please note: The views presented here are my own and do not reflect the positions or policies of Pfizer Inc.)
“Medical care generally makes one whole again–before the injury occurred--but some economical expenses ethically ought to be considered.” - Elizabeth Pike
Still interested in learning more about compensation for research-related injury, I attended Panel [...] Read more