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George J. Annas, JD, MPH

JAMA. 2001;286:2326-2328.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Examination of the current system of protecting human subjects has highlighted concerns about its overall effectiveness.^1-4 It is infused with conflicts of interest, and research is increasingly financed and promoted by for-profit entities.^{1, 4} Institutional review boards (IRBs) review "too much, too quickly, and with too little expertise," with many IRBs spending "only 1 or 2 minutes of review per study."^2-3 This inadequate system of protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects in medical research requires extensive reform. As part of the change process, efforts should focus on taking the entire consent process seriously. In this issue of THE JOURNAL, Beskow et al⁵ suggest elements that may be helpful in preparing a consent form for population-based research involving genetics.

As a lawyer, I certainly understand the value of specific forms for documentation and cannot fault Beskow et al⁵ for trying to improve them. Nonetheless, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Author Affiliation: Boston University Schools of Law, Medicine, and Public Health, Boston, Mass.

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