Glossary

Research ethics boards are independent bodies that ensure respect for the dignity, safety, well-being and rights of participants in clinical trials. Ethics boards approve and monitor clinical trials closely, and may suspend or cancel all or part of a trial at any time. In Quebec, research ethics boards may be attached to ministries or to academic or health institutions, such as university faculties, integrated health and social services centres (CISSS) or integrated university health and social services centres (CIUSSS) or university hospital centres (CHU). These boards are made up of experts from various fields.