The Research Ethics Board (REB) of Humber River Health (HRH) ensures that all research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of HRH meets the highest ethical and scientific standards.

All research involving human participants, including data, human biological materials, as well as human embryos, fetuses, fetal tissue, reproductive materials, and stem cells within HRH requires approval of the REB prior to the initiation of a research project.

Overarching Principles of Ethical Review

In the context of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2, the REB subscribes to following ethical principles that are commonly held and valued by diverse research disciplines:

Respect for Persons which recognizes the intrinsic value of human beings and the respect and consideration that they are due; considers how people of all ages are treated as research participants; incorporates the moral obligations to respect autonomy; and protects those with developing, impaired, or diminished autonomy.

Concern for Welfare which considers the impact on individuals of factors including physical, mental and spiritual health, as well as their physical, economic and social circumstances; encompasses factors including privacy and control of information about the person and the assessment of foreseeable risks and benefits; and the treatment of data and human biological materials according to the free, informed and ongoing consent of the person who was the source of the information and materials.

Justice which recognizes the obligation to treat people fairly and equitably.

For inquiries, please contact the REB Office at 416-242-1000 ext. 46011 or via email at reb@hrh.ca.