What is the primary function of Institutional Review Boards in clinical research?

• A. They oversee research ethics committees at a local level.
• B. They replace the need for scientific validity.
• C. They weigh the utility of protocols and approve when benefits outweigh risks.
• D. They set funding policies.

Answer: (C)

The main function of Institutional Review Boards is to protect people participating in research by evaluating whether the risks to participants are reasonable in light of the potential benefits and by ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place, such as informed consent and privacy protections. They review the protocol to determine if the anticipated benefits justify the risks, and they approve the study only when the balance is favorable, or require modifications, or disapprove if protections are inadequate. This ethical oversight complements scientific review but does not replace the need for sound science, set funding policies, or involve overseeing other local ethics committees.