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The
mission of the National Council on Ethics in Human Research
is:
- to advance the protection and promotion of the well-being of human
participants in research; and
- to foster high ethical standards for the conduct of research
involving humans.
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When the Medical Research Council
of Canada (MRC) reviewed its guidelines on research involving
human subjects, it recognized that an ethics review system that
relied on autonomous review by local Research Ethics Boards
(REBs) required on-going support and information exchange. At
the request of MRC and with funding from MRC and Health Canada,
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada established
the National Council on Ethics in Human Research. The College
accepted this responsibility because specialists it certifies
conduct most clinical research and because the College was already
experienced in evaluating medical school programs. To
extend protection of subjects of research beyond MRC funded
projects, the National Council on Ethics in Human Research
includes representatives from key organizations in clinical
research and from the public.
In 1995, the Coordinating Committee
for NCEHR was established. In part, it is "to serve
as a forum for discussion and collaboration of institutional
research ethics... particularly as regards NCEHR; in part,
it is to provide financial and intellectual support to NCEHR
so as to facilitate the discharge of its important responsibilities
and the fulfillment of its mission." |
The National Council on
Ethics in Human Research shall:
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Assist Research Ethics Boards (REBs) in interpreting and
implementing guidelines for the ethics of research involving human subjects;
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Assist REBs in resolving contentious issues;
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Provide assistance to REBs in establishing and implementing
procedures for evaluating and monitoring the performance of research involving human
subjects;
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Establish an ongoing mechanism to assess the functions of
REBs;
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Foster education, dialogue and understanding in and among
institutions, REBs, researchers, professional personnel, organizations that fund research
and the public, on the ethical aspects of research involving human subjects and the
implementation of appropriate guidelines;
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Work with the ethics committees or divisions of the various
Research Councils, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Health Canada,
to ensure that human research ethics guidelines or pronouncements meet the needs of
research involving human subjects in Canada; and
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Assist the REBs, institutions and organizations that fund
research in maintaining and developing expertise concerning the evolution of ethical
perspectives on all aspects of research involving human subjects.
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Such expertise will involve traditional areas of research,
those of newer science and technology, and particularly those relating to human cultural
diversity in Canada.
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The Executive Committee assists the National
Council to establish policies, set priorities and plan fulfillment of
its mandate and goals. The Executive Committee serves as a steering
committee for expert Working Committees and makes executive policy decisions
between Council meetings. Its Finance Subcommittee oversees the budget.
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Until
1995, members of Council were appointed by the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Many of these individuals
were representatives of health care organizations. Two persons
from specific disciplines provided expertise in law and ethics
as related to health science research; and three others were
community members who brought a public perspective to Council's
work.
Currently, Council
appoints its own members. The membership has increased in
number and in its range of representation to include individuals
with an interest in research ethics as reflecting the constituencies
represented by the membership of the Coordinating Committee.
In addition to these individuals, Council includes persons
with a specific disciplinary expertise in ethics and law,
as well as community members.
Renewal or new
appointments are made on a staggered basis through Council's
nominating process.
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Glenn Griener
President
Edmonton, AB
Padraig Darby
President-Elect
Toronto, ON
Fern Brunger
St. John's, NL
Joan Cherry
Toronto, ON
Doris Cook
Cornwall, On
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Jack Corman
Aurora, ON
Pierre Deschamps
Montreal, QC
Robert (Roy) Graham
Victoria, BC
Danielle Laudy
Montreal, QC
Susan Manitowabi
Sudbury, ON
Michael Owen
St. Catharines, ON
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Deborah Poff
Prince George, BC
Anne Robichaud
Moncton, NB
Heather A. Sampson
Toronto, ON
Marianne Vanderwel
Kirkland, QC
Nancy Walton
Toronto, ON
Don Willison
Hamilton, ON
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Association of Faculties of
Medicine of Canada (AFMC)
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards (CAREB)
Canadian Commission (UNESCO)
Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
(CFHSS)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI)
Health Canada (HC)
Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC)
Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of
Canada (NSERC)
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
(RCPSC)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
(SSHRC)
Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)
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