Why must the IRB include community members?

The inclusion of community members in the Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves several vital purposes, one of which is to ensure a fair distribution of risks. When community members participate in the IRB, they bring unique perspectives and insights about the community’s values, practices, and concerns. This inclusion enables the IRB to better assess how research may impact different segments of the population, particularly those who might be vulnerable or at risk.

By having individuals from the community on the IRB, the board can identify any potential disparities in how risks are allocated among various demographic groups. This helps to make certain that the benefits and burdens of research do not unfairly target, neglect, or harm specific populations. The voices of community members can highlight issues that researchers may overlook and guide the board in making decisions that uphold ethical standards within the context of the community's needs and expectations.

In contrast to other options presented, simply increasing the pool of voting members without a focus on community input does not inherently connect to the ethical mandate of risk distribution. Similarly, fulfilling diversity quotas does not guarantee that community voices will influence decision-making, and providing a scientific perspective focuses on the technicality of the research rather than the ethical implications of its impact on the community. The primary goal of