Which of the Statements is True Regarding Regulations Govern Research?

Which of the Following Statements is True Regarding the Regulations that Govern Research?

A. The research of an international graduate student enrolled at a U.S. university is not governed by U.S. regulations unless the student plans to publish the results.

B. International research collaborations involving U.S. funded researchers are not governed by U.S. regulations when the work takes place at a private university.

C. U.S. funded research collaborations are often governed by U.S. regulations no matter where the research takes place.

D. International research is governed by the United Nations instead of any specific country’s regulations.

Ans. C. U.S. funded research collaborations are often governed by U.S. regulations no matter where the research takes place.

U.S. regulations governing research involving human subjects (e.g., the Common Rule), animals, and safety generally depend on the source of funding. That is, if a research study is funded by a U.S. federal agency such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the National Science Foundation (NSF), the research will be governed by the agency's regulations wherever conducted. This is so that the U.S.-established ethical and safety requirements are implemented even when collaborating with other nations. The other options are incorrect because U.S. regulations generally apply to all researchers at a U.S. institution, and the United Nations is not a single organization that oversees all international research.