Local research ethics committees

Local committees have strengths too

EDITOR,--Anyone familiar with observer variation in measurement, the psychology of committees, or lunacy in the law courts would predict disagreement between research ethics committees. K G M M Alberti implies that common forms, central direction, and training will help,1 but differences will remain. Is conformity the priority? If so, why have local committees?

The idea that research done in a community should be approved locally by a committee of medical and lay members is changing …