Frequently Asked Questions

What is subject to ethics review?

All research with human subjects should obtain ethics approval from a research ethics committee prior to its initiation. To meet the definition of research with human subjects, the proposal must constitute research and it must obtain information from human subjects. Research is defined as any social science, biomedical, behavioral, or epidemiological activity that entails systematic collection or analysis of data, with the intent to develop generalizable knowledge. Human subjects are defined as human beings (i) who become individually identifiable through investigator’s collection, preparation, or use of biological material or medical or other records, or (ii) who are exposed to manipulation, intervention, observation, or other interaction with investigators either directly or through alteration of their environment. Research with human subjects includes studies that use tissues, samples, data or records from humans, as well as studies that involve the conduction of interviews, focus groups or surveys, or the observation of private behavior.

Activities that do not constitute research with human subjects are exempted from ethics review. These are activities that do not aim at the production of generalizable knowledge or do not involve human subjects in the ways described above. For example, the following activities do not constitute research with human subjects and are thus exempted from ethics review:

  • Studies using data that are publicly available or generated by observation of public behavior.
  • Studies using data, samples, or tissue that already exist (i.e. the data, samples or tissue have been obtained by others) and are received by the research team in such a manner that the identity of the individuals cannot be established.
  • Public health activities conducted under recognized public health authority with the intent to prevent or control of disease or injury, including surveillance activities aimed only at the identification or control of a health problem. These are activities that seek the benefit of the participants or the participants’ communities, and do not intend to generate knowledge that is applicable to other populations.
  • Quality assurance activities or program evaluations aimed at improving the program at stake, and with no intent to produce generalizable knowledge.

Projects might involve multiple components, some of which might constitute research with human subjects while other components might not. The components that constitute research with human subjects should undergo ethics review. Determinations about whether a proposal is exempted from ethics review should be made by an independent party such as an ethics review committee.

What are the international ethical guidelines for research with human subjects?

What are the standards of each country for research with human subjects?

How should ethics review committees function?

Which questions should guide the ethics review of research with human subjects?

  • Social value: Can the study lead to improvements in health or well-being? What is the potential value of the research for each of the prospective beneficiaries?
  • Scientific validity: Is the investigation methodologically valid and scientifically (and statistically) sound? Will the study generate valid and reliable data that can be generalizable? Is the study feasible? Does the study design ensure participants the health-care interventions they are entitled to? If not, are there methodologically compelling reasons and are participants protected from serious harm?
  • Fair participant selection: What are the criteria to include and exclude participants? Is selection of participants based on scientific criteria? Are research participants selected to minimize risks and maximize potential benefits? If participants are vulnerable, are there any safeguards to protect them? Are the risks and potential benefits of the study fairly distributed?
  • Favorable risk-benefit ratio: Can the risks for participants be minimized? Can potential benefits for individuals and society be improved? Do the potential benefits for society and individuals outweigh the risks?
  • Informed consent: Is the information provided to potential participants accurate, clear, relevant and complete? Are the recruitment procedures, consent process and incentives appropriate for their culture and context? Is there an appropriate plan for obtaining permission for those that can’t consent for themselves? Are the participants being made aware of their right to refuse to participate and are they actually free to refuse?
  • Respect for participants: How will the health and well-being of participants be monitored to minimize harms? How will their privacy be protected? Can participants withdraw from the study without penalty? What are the plans of care after the study is completed? Will participants be given any new information (including the results of the study)?

(Adapted from (1) Emanuel E, Wendler D, Grady C. An ethical framework for biomedical research. In: Emanuel E et al. eds. The Oxford textbook of clinical research ethics. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2008: 123-135. (2) Emanuel E, Wendler D, Grady C. What makes clinical research ethical? JAMA 2000;283:2701-27711. (3) Emanuel E, Wendler D, Killen J, Grady C. What makes clinical research in developing countries ethical? The benchmarks of ethical research. JID 2004;189:930-937.)





¿Cual es el tiempo de espera para revision de protocolos?

El tiempo dependera del tipo de protocolo y  la ubicacion en la lista de espera que tiene su proyecto

Where is the CNBI located?

The CNBI is located in City of Knowledge, Building 205. 

Cual es el numero del comite?

8095827473

¿Dónde esta ubicado el comite?

Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Donde esta ubicado el comite de etica

Ubicado en el departamento de Enseñanza del Hospital Infantil Regional Dr Arturo Grullon

Cuales son los requisitos ?

 UASD

cual es la ubicacion del comite?

cual es la ubicacion del comite?

What is the CNBI number?

517-0198

517-0036

517-0132

cuánto tarda la agencia reguladora en evaluar el protocolo?

15 días hábiles

Que es el Aval institucional ?

Es la institución de respalda la propuesta

¿Cual es el tiempo de resolución?

Después de aceptado el protocolo se tienen 22 días hábiles para dar respuesta 

que es el aval institutucional

La Institución que respalda la propuesta

Cuales son los requisitos para introducir una investigación para que sea revisado por el comité de etica?

Cuales son los requisitos para introducir una investigación para que sea revisado por el comité de etica?

what are the requirements for pharmaceutical products in clinics essays?

Aspects of manufacturing quality.
Results of preclinical studies.

How long does the clinical research protocol authorization process take?

It depends on the type of study and the regulations of each country where the protocol has been submitted.

Under wthat regulations is the CNBI based in our country?

El CNBI se rige por La Ley 84 del 14 de mayo de 2019 y el Decreto Ejecutivo N°. 1843 del 16 de diciembre de 2014, modificado por el Decreto Ejecutivo N°. 6 de 3 de febrero de 2015. 

What are the functions of the CNBI?

The National Research Bioethics Committee has monitoring and accreditation functions of institutional Research Ethics/Bioethics Committees.
In accordance with Law 84 of May 14, 2019, the functions of the CNBI are the following:
1. Promote, accredit, evaluate and supervise research bioethics committees, both in the public and private sectors, and support their independence and autonomy.
2. Publish the list of accredited research bioethics committees, in the accreditation process and those sanctioned, on a public access platform.
3. Provide advice and resolve queries made by the research bioethics committees, researchers, promoters, sponsors and the health authority.
4. Report to the competent authorities the cases in which they are aware of the breach of this Law and other applicable regulations.
5. Issue and approve general provisions for the homogeneous operation of the research bioethics committees.
6. Collect information on the research protocols evaluated by the research bioethics committees and create a database of studies accessible to the public, promoting the systematization and virtual management of the research bioethics committees, in order to Promote transparency in the exercise of its functions.
7. Carry out the ethical review of the research protocols in circumstances of appeal, in matters that imply new technologies or when, in accordance with the technical criteria established by the General Directorate of Health, it is determined that it warrants it.
8. Recommend to the Minister of Health public policies on the ethics of research for health.
9. Promote and collaborate in education, training and periodic certification in the ethics of research for health and the ethics of evidence-informed decision-making.
10. Serve as a higher instance for the evaluation of the ethical review process of a research protocol and other related documents, at the request of the interested parties.

Does the National Bioethics Committee manage a calendar for its meetings and time as an evaluator of the studies?

The CNBI meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, within these meetings the studies are discussed and evaluated. The time it takes to appear before the CNBI and its approval will depend on whether all the documentation is complete and on the CNBI evaluation process.