Research Ethics Boards (REBs) provide oversight for Canadians that research projects will comply with standards of ethics
if the studies are carried out as described in the documents that have been approved. While REBs have traditionally been affiliated
with institutions such as universities and hospitals, a number of factors - including the increased volume of research being
conducted outside academic centres - have resulted in the establishment of some private or independent REBs. This, in turn,
has raised concerns about the credibility of REBs in the private sector and their capacity to handle issues around conflict
of interest. This Breakout Session was an opportunity to hear the perspectives of people associated with institutional and
private REBs and examine perceived problems with boards in the private sector, scrutinize theoretical and structural differences
between types of REBs, and look at whether or not there is room for both institutional and private boards in the Canadian
research review landscape.
Keywords Research Ethics Board - Institutional Review Board - Private sector review - Conflict of interest