Research Ethics Board. A group of doctors, scientists, consumers and others which is not affiliated with the sponsor. The mandate of the REB is to evaluate all aspects of the clinical trial to ensure that it complies with Canadian regulations, is ethical and protects the safety and rights of study participants. All clinical trials to be conducted in Canada must be approved by an REB before they begin. Sometimes called an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Review Ethics Board. An independent group of professionals designated to review and approve the clinical protocol, informed consent forms, study advertisements, and patient brochures, to ensure that the study is safe and effective for human participation. It is also the REB's responsibility to ensure that the study adheres to Health Canada's regulations.

Research Ethics Board. Groups of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers at each health care facility or university at which a clinical trial takes place. Designed to protect patients who take part in studies, REBs review and must approve the protocols for all Clinical Trials. They check to see that the study is well-designed, does not involve undue Risks, and includes safeguards for Participants.

Research Ethics Board. a multidisciplinary committee established by an institution to undertake the ethics review of research projects involving humans developed or undertaken within that institution.

RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD. An independent committee established to protect the rights and interests of clinical trials participants. REBs are sometimes called Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Ethics Review Boards or just Ethics Boards. Every institution or hospital that conducts human research must have its own REB (also called Institutional Review Board (IRB)).