What should IACUC members do when they have a conflict of interest regarding a proposal?

When IACUC members encounter a conflict of interest regarding a proposal, the most appropriate course of action is to remove themselves completely from the room during deliberations. This action ensures that the integrity of the review process is maintained, as it prevents any potential influence or bias from affecting the discussions or the final decision made by the committee.

Removing oneself from the room eliminates any appearance of impropriety, allowing the remaining IACUC members to deliberate freely and make decisions based solely on the merits of the proposal. This practice upholds the ethical standards required in research oversight and reflects commitment to transparency and objectivity.

In contrast, other options could lead to conflicts influencing the deliberation process. For instance, participating in discussions, even without voting, or staying in the room to answer questions could create situations where the conflicted member inadvertently sways opinions or introduces bias. Summarizing the proposal, while potentially informative, also raises similar concerns about influence and can compromise the independence of the review. Thus, complete removal is the clearest and most effective way to address conflicts of interest in IACUC settings.