Which organization is typically involved in ethical approvals for human-subject research at many institutions?

• A. World Health Organization
• B. Institutional Review Board
• C. Local Library
• D. Patent Office

Answer: (B)

Protecting human participants requires review by an independent body that weighs risks and benefits, ensures informed consent, and safeguards privacy. That body is typically the Institutional Review Board, which evaluates the study protocol, recruitment plans, consent processes, data handling, and safety monitoring before research begins and often continues to oversee it during the study. This oversight helps ensure that participation is voluntary, risks are minimized, and participants’ rights are protected.

The other options don’t fit this role. The World Health Organization provides global guidance but does not grant the local ethics approval required for an individual study at a given institution. A local library is unrelated to research ethics oversight. A Patent Office deals with intellectual property and has no role in approving research involving human participants.