Abstract

This paper explores issues of professional ethics that are relevant to those who engage in the ethical review of research with human subjects. Codes of ethics of a number of professional groups are examined for guidance offered to research ethics board members. The thought of the philosopher, Mike Martin, is introduced as a way to highlight some of the ethical issues that reviewers encounter in their work. Martin believes that ideals contribute to the coherence of an individual’s life by shaping character. His discussion of caring, justice, trust, and professional distance offer a resource for reviewers to refl ect on the ethicaldimensions of their work.