UVM's Research Protections Office (RPO) is responsible for the review and oversight programs that support the institution’s conduct of safe and ethically sound scientific research involving human participants, vertebrate animals, biohazards, and controlled substances. The membership of the four UVM Committees meets all criteria required by the applicable regulations and guidelines governing research. The Committees are constituted of members with varying backgrounds sufficiently qualified for review through appropriate experience and expertise. When membership decisions are made, consideration is given to gender, race, cultural backgrounds, and sensitivity to community attitudes.