Establishment:

Out of the keenness of Umm Al-Qura University to maintain the ethics of scientific research in accordance with Islamic law, the university decided to establish a standing committee for research on living beings at Umm Al-Qura University. The committee aims at safeguarding the rights of living livings from the transgressions that may occur in the absence of a body concerned with monitoring and regulating the ethical aspects of scientific research, at keeping researchers away from deviations that may affect the lofty goals envisaged in the research process, and at making the results of research and studies always free from improper practices and deviations. Consequently, this committee was registered at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology with the number HAPO-02-K-012, and thus became under the umbrella of the National Committee for Research Ethics on Living Beings issued by the Royal Decree No. (M/59), dated 14 Ramadan, 1431 A.H., and its executive regulations issued by the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

This committee is responsible for reviewing all research to ensure its compliance with the controls and requirements of acceptable ethical practices and behaviors and the responsibilities associated with the research process. The committee also obliges all parties of the research process to apply these regulations and determines the action to be taken against those who do not follow them, within an ethical framework consistent with the teachings of the Islamic creed and the values and laws of the community.