In Finland, the prerequisites for medical research and the ethical review of the research project are laid down by law. Ethical review of research project refers to a broad review of research based on discipline-specific ethical practices and legislation applicable to the research project. Ethical review of a medical research project is conducted by a Medical Research Ethics Committee.
Review focuses especially on the anticipation and minimization of possible harm caused to the research subject by the research or its results. The criteria for ethical review related to scientific research in Finnish legislation are determined by whether the research in question is medical or other, non-medical.
Further information: Alueellinen lääketieteellinen tutkimuseettinen toimikunta (in Finnish)