Research on humans is one of the most dangerous types of research but also one of the most rewarding. In response to the increasing experimentation on humans, the academic community has developed regulations and guidelines for such research. At NYU Abu Dhabi, the Human Research Protection Program works alongside investigators to oversee all research involving human subjects in order to ensure the safety of those subjects.

The HRRP strictly follows the Ethical Principles detailed on the Belmont Report, an agreement signed into U.S. law in 1974 by the U.S. National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. The report details guidelines for research involving human subjects according to three core principles: autonomy, which ensures respect for persons and their right to make decisions for him/herself, beneficence, which requires that investigators not only protect participants but also make an effort to secure their well being, and justice, which prevents researchers from selecting a class of subjects, such as the poor, who are vulnerable to coercion and are often selected because of their availability instead of reasons directly related to the research.

Under the jurisdiction of the HRRP is the Institutional Review Board, responsible for reviewing all research on human subjects conducted at NYUAD. Any prospective experiments involving research on humans requires an application to be sent to the IRB. The IRB assesses the application form, as well as a typed document which includes a summary of the research, a description of the research procedures and a plan for privacy and confidentially. Depending on the risk of the experiment, a proposal may fall into one of two categories: expedited or full board review. In general, if a proposal is judged to involve only minimal risk the project is eligible for an expedited review, during which the review is processed by the IRB Chair or by one or more IRB reviewers designated by the Chair. These reviewers indicate approval, any required modifications, or disapproval. If the proposal is not eligible for expedited review, the IRB performs a full board review consisting of at least five members to ensure that the experiment is safe and does not violate the principles of the Belmont Report.

The IRB also requires all investigators to be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of human research ethics, regulations, laws and local policies before data collection is performed. All investigators must therefore review the Human Subjects Tutorial offered by the university, which provides training on basic ethical principles, UAE and Abu Dhabi laws and NYUAD’s policies pertaining to research on humans. In certain circumstances, investigators may also be required to complete the CITI Certification Exam prior to submitting an application to the IRB.

Finally, to ensure that all research participants are well informed of what the experiment entails, the IRB also oversees the process of participant recruitment. The IRB usually requires the submission of documents which detail the recruitment process, which include the following: recruitment materials, such as flyers, that are used to inform potential participants of the opportunity to participate as a subject. A statement to subjects, which explains in detail the purpose of the research and what the subject will be asked to do. Finally, an informed consent form, which a participant must sign if he or she is willing to participate as a subject.

In providing a set of ethical norms to follow, organizations such as the HRRP promote the wellbeing of experimental human subjects. This process, though extensive, is imperative for protecting human subjects from physical, mental and emotional harm. Research participants at NYUAD should feel assured that any experiment they choose to participate in has already extensively reviewed and deemed safe for all participants.