The short answer
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent committee that reviews and monitors clinical trials to protect the rights and safety of the people who take part.
An IRB is an independent committee that oversees clinical trials.
Its main job is to protect the safety and rights of participants.
It reviews a trial before it can begin.
It checks that risks are reasonable and consent is clear.
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The full explanation.
An independent watchdog
An Institutional Review Board, or IRB, is an independent committee that reviews clinical trials to protect the people who take part. It includes scientists, doctors, and community members, and its job is to look out for participants — not for the researchers or sponsors.
Reviewing before a trial starts
Before a trial can enroll anyone, the IRB reviews the plan. It checks whether the possible risks are reasonable compared with the possible benefits, whether the informed consent explains things clearly and honestly, and whether participants' rights and privacy are safeguarded.
Watching while it runs
The IRB's role does not end at approval. It continues to monitor the trial as it goes, reviews new safety information, and can require changes — or stop the study entirely — if concerns come up.
Why it matters to you
The IRB is one of the main reasons you can have confidence that a trial has been independently checked for safety and fairness before you are ever asked to join. If you have questions about your rights as a participant, the consent form tells you how to reach them.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is an IRB?
An Institutional Review Board is an independent committee — including scientists, doctors, and community members — that reviews clinical trials to make sure they are ethical and protect participants.
▸What does the IRB check?
It reviews whether the risks are reasonable compared with possible benefits, whether the informed consent is clear and honest, and whether participants' rights and privacy are protected.
▸Does the IRB keep watching during the trial?
Yes. The IRB does not just approve a trial once. It continues to monitor the study and can require changes or halt it if concerns arise.
▸Why does the IRB matter to me?
The IRB is one of the main safeguards that a trial has been independently reviewed for safety and fairness before you are ever asked to join.
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