I really don't think that IRBs/ethics committees are the major problem in biomedical research. Interacting with them can be frustrating and annoying, but the is

I really don't think that IRBs/ethics committees are the major problem in biomedical research. Interacting with them can be frustrating and annoying, but the issues were largely bureaucratic ones (so many forms and approvals). I've never felt like their requests were unreasonable or that they compromised the research. On the other hand, the continual pressure to publish "complete" stories, early and often, absolutely affects the quality of research and I think finding ways to realign researchers' incentives would be awesome.