In Canada institutions whose researchers receive grant funding from any of the
three major granting councils come under the jurisdiction of the Tri-Council
Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans as a minimum
standard for ethical review of human subjects' research. Article 1.3, which is
about membership, requires that "at least one member has no affiliation with
the institution, but is recruited from the community served by the
institution." In an explanation of the article one finds the following: "The
Councils consider it essential that effective community representation be
maintained. Thus, as the size of an REB increases beyond the minimum of five
members, the number of community representatives should also increase." Also:
"The community member requirement of Article 1.3(d) is essential to help
broaden the perspective and value base of the REB beyond the institution, and
thus advances dialogue with, and accountability to, local communities." Here
is a link to the full document:
http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/english/policystatement/policystatement.cfm

It is challenging to recruit good community members. You want them to be from
the community served by the institution. They need to be able to learn how to
read and assess research protocols, keeping the potential experience of the
research subject in mind. They can't be too intimidated by others on the
committee. They need to dedicate quite a bit of time to do their job
effectively.

Good luck with your meeting. Carolyn Ells

>===== Original Message From Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>Dear all,
>I'am coordinator of a research group on Rights & Ethics in Medicine, I am
>organizing in Italy a series of meeting on this issues "the role of member
>of community in the ethics committees -IRB-"
>Little is known about the roles and experiences of them and what
>contributions they are making to IRBs.
>I think community representation is one of the most important issues in the
>discussion on medical research.
>I would like to receive from you ideas, experiences, documents...papers and
>so on...
>can you help me?
>Thanks a lot in advance!!!
>Gaia
>
>Gaia Marsico
>REM coordinator
>Research group on Rights & Ethics in Medicine
>Segreteria-Coordinamento c/o:
>Centro Studi SIFO/Lab.di Epidemiologia Assistenziale e Sistemi Informatici
>Consorzio Mario Negri Sud - via Nazionale - 66030 Santa Maria Imbaro
>(Chieti)
>Tel. 0872.570256
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>SITO INTERNET:   http://easi.negrisud.it/etica

Carolyn Ells
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Ethics Unit
McGill University
3647 Peel St, room 305
Montreal QC H3A 1X1 Canada
Tel: 514-398-2521
Fax: 514-398-8349
Email: [log in to unmask]