Section 7: Ethics Committee

7. Ethics Committee (1) There shall be an Ethics Committee which shall consist of— (a) a Chairperson, who shall be a law practitioner of not less than 5 years’ standing; (b) a specialist in public health; (c) a specialist in internal medicine; (d) a person having experience in the conduct of biomedical research involving human beings; (e) a social scientist; (f) a clinical psychologist; (g) 2 persons to represent civil society. (2) The persons referred to in subsection (1) shall— (a) be appointed by the Minister on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit; (b) hold office for a period of 2 years and be eligible for reappointment; and (c) be paid such fees or allowances as the Minister may determine. (3) Where the Chairperson is absent from any meeting, the members present shall elect from amongst themselves a member to preside at the meeting. (4) At a meeting of the Ethics Committee, 5 members, one of whom shall be a person referred to in subsection (1) (b) or (c), shall constitute a quorum. (5) A decision of the Ethics Committee shall be by a simple majority of the members present and voting and, in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. (6) Subject to this Act, the Ethics Committee may conduct its meetings and proceedings in such manner as it thinks fit. (7) The supervising officer may designate such number of public officers as the Ethics Committee may require to assist it in the performance of its functions.