Research involving humans: A time for change?

The article examines how ethical review can be maintained and substantially improved for the protection ofparticipants in medical and health research. The focus is 011 the Australian regime, but the Australian experience exemplifies trends in other developed nations, notably the USA," towards greater regulation and away from self-regulation. In particular, this article attempts to identify reasons for the clear trend. The article will also examine the extensive recommendations of the joint Australian Law Reform Commission and Australian Health Ethics Committee in their Report entitled Essentiallu You)"s. dealing with the protection of human genetic information.