ABSTRACT
The research, teaching, and testing programs of institutions frequently include regulated activities. For example, scientists conducting research that involves animal or human participants, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, hazardous materials, or human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) must adhere to federal standards. Regulations vary according to the type of research conducted, but the common theme is the federal requirement for self-monitoring. The philosophy of self-regulation is to afford a diverse group of institutions the necessary flexibility to develop oversight programs that support the scientific expertise and research initiatives of the organization while satisfying the governing responsibilities (Bartle and Vass 2005).
