Independent ethical oversight
The Research Ethics Committee (REC) of QAZIIM independently reviews biomedical and health-related research involving human participants, human biological materials, identifiable personal data and associated scientific investigations.
The Committee safeguards participants’ rights, safety, dignity, privacy and well-being. It operates independently of investigators and sponsors so that protocols are evaluated objectively under applicable ethical principles, Kazakhstan legislation and institutional procedures.
Objectives and responsibilities
- Review protocols before research begins.
- Assess scientific and ethical justification.
- Evaluate potential risks and anticipated benefits.
- Review informed-consent and participant-information materials.
- Assess recruitment and protection of vulnerable populations.
- Protect privacy, confidentiality and research data.
- Review amendments, continuing review, safety reports and serious adverse events.
- Monitor ongoing compliance with approved requirements.
Scope of review
Clinical and population research
Clinical, observational and epidemiological studies involving people.
Biological materials and omics
Human samples, biobanking, genomic, genetic and multi-omics research.
Technology and health data
Medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, artificial intelligence and digital health.
Sensitive contexts
Identifiable retrospective data and research involving vulnerable populations.
Ethical review process
- 01Administrative submission and completeness assessment.
- 02Preliminary ethical and regulatory screening.
- 03Independent review by Committee members.
- 04Committee discussion at a convened meeting, where applicable.
- 05Documented decision and required actions.
- 06Continuing oversight, amendments and safety review.
Ethical and regulatory framework
The Committee applies internationally recognised ethical principles, Kazakhstan legislation, institutional policies and standard operating procedures. Investigators must obtain approval before initiating research involving people, identifiable data or human biological materials.
- Declaration of Helsinki
- ICH Good Clinical Practice E6(R2)/E6(R3)
- CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines (2016)
- WHO ethics-review standards and operational guidance
- UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights
- Applicable laws and normative legal acts of Kazakhstan
SOP
Approved committee procedures and controlled documents will be published here after institutional review.