Research using human subjects provides vital medical and scientific benefits to individuals and society. The need for this research does not, however, outweigh the need to protect individual rights and interests. At USC this obligation to research subjects is not only a commitment, but is undertaken with the goal of making the USC Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) as exemplary and nationally recognized as is USC research. To achieve this goal, USC has established the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) and has, as executive director, Dr. Susan L. Rose.

The University of Southern California is committed to conducting its biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects under rigorous ethical principles. The Institutional Review Boards have been established to comply with existing regulations of the federal government in accordance with the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Rights (45 CFR 46), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations (21 CFR 50, 56), and with the Federalwide Assurance granted by the H.H.S. Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP). The University has also agreed to adhere to the statements of ethical principles as described in The Nuremberg Code, The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Human Subjects of Research, Report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.

This fundamental commitment to the protection of human participants applies to all University of Southern California research involving human participants regardless of whether the research is funded through Government, non-profit or industry sponsors or through University funds and regardless of the location of the research.

Among the goals of USC and the HSPP are accreditation through the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) and assuring excellence for human subjects research programs across the university. A university wide research ethics program and continuing educational programs will assure that USC remains ahead of ever changing ethical and regulatory standards.

The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects can be reached in the Credit Union Building (CUB), Third Floor, MC:0706, by phone (213) 821-1154 or fax (213) 740-9299, or by email at oprs@usc.edu.