MSU might be the next Big Ten institution to receive accreditation to ensure research on human subjects meet tough ethical standards.

Approval would come from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs Inc., or AAHRPP, a nonprofit organization offering accreditation to universities for human subjects research, which involves research in biomedical, behavioral and social sciences. The Executive Committee of Academic Council discussed the possibility when it met Tuesday.

The accreditation would act as a "gold seal," approving MSU as an institution that meets ethical standards, which are assessed in five domains: Institution, institution review board, investigators, participants of research and sponsors of research.

"This is an area where our policies are either nonexistent or less aggressive than peer institutions," MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon said. "This isn't a benign activity; it has policy implications."

The University of Iowa was the first Big Ten institution accredited by the association.

Simon said she knows the policies at other universities, and others are moving toward gaining accreditation.

Linda Triemer, director of the Office of Research Ethics and Standards, said accreditation is important to assure research participants that the research being conducted on them meets ethical standards.

"It's a public acknowledgment that MSU takes seriously for the protection of participants in human subjects research," she said.

She said accreditation would be beneficial because agencies might be more willing to have their research conducted by MSU researchers, thus making MSU more competitive for research grant money.

"Accreditation is not just a one-shot deal," Triemer said. "You continuously re-evaluate your progress after accreditation."

David Wright, assistant vice president of the Office of Research Ethics and Standards, said receiving accreditation is a good alternative to tighter governmental regulation.

"Showing you've received accreditation doesn't prevent the government from regulating, but it's a good way of showing you've met a certain ethical standard," he said.

Triemer is hoping to submit the application to AAHRPP in the next few months, so accreditation can be considered for next year. The cost of applying is $19,000.