Dual-Use Review and the IRB.

Abstract

Given the growing threat of the misuse of biomedical research by terrorists or others, institutional review boards (IRBs) are likely to encounter research protocols that raise dual-use issues. While IRBs should be informed about these issues and should be prepared to address them, they should not be burdened with the responsibility of conducting their own dual-use review. A dual-use committee (DUC), institutional biosafety committee (IBC), or other committee should handle this task and convey its findings and recommendations to institutional officials.