1. Self-Experimentation
Generally, investigators at UNC-Chapel Hill may not enroll themselves as subjects in a study that they are supervising. Such a practice presents obvious conflicts of interest issues and a variety of other ethical and practical issues (e.g., data integrity, welfare of researcher, informed consent, and oversight responsibilities).
2. Family Member Experimentation
While there is no absolute prohibition on an investigator enrolling family members in a study, due to the possibility of undue influence, conflict of interest, and equitable selection this typically should be avoided.
If an investigator is recruiting or planning to enroll a family member, this should be identified in the IRB application and additional safeguards to mitigate coercion and ensure the family member’s participation is voluntary. The IRB will then review the inclusion of the investigator’s family member’s being recruited as potential subjects and ensure that there are additional safeguards for these subjects. The voluntary nature of their participation must be primary and without undue influence on their decision. Consent procedures and other study activities, when possible, should be administered or overseen by an individual who is not the family member, however still qualified to do so, such as a co-investigator.