What is the difference between an IBC and an IRB?

Both committees review research, but they safeguard different things. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) protects the rights and welfare of human research participants. An Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) focuses on biosafety, evaluating the risks that recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and gene transfer research may pose to researchers, the public, and the environment. Many gene transfer trials require both reviews, and BRANY can coordinate IBC review with IRB review when appropriate.