The ethics of biomedical research: sustainable activities begin in Asia and the Western Pacific.

Over the past few months a number of significant developments in capacity building have emerged in Asia and the western Pacific. These developments are the effect of a competent review process of research proposals by ethics committees. The Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific was established in January 2000 with the aim of fostering improved understanding and implementation of ethical reviews of biomedical research in the countries of the region. Among other things the Forum facilitates training and education for members of ethics committees. Its core function is to drive a regional network for resource mobilization information exchange and activity coordination. It has three components: regional networks the institutional involvement of universities and the specific effort to develop course material. They ensure sustainability of the network relevance to local concerns and dissemination of products to those involved at all levels in the region.