[Ethics committees: international experience and of the National Institute for cancer research of Genoa]. / Comitati etici: esperienze internazionali e dell'Istituto Nazionale per la ricerca sul cancro di Genova.

The aim of the present study is to describe the constitutions and functions of Ethics Committees and Institutional Review Boards. In particular, the experience of the National Institute for Cancer Research of Genoa in which the Authors carry out their activity is presented.

[Scientific institutions for treatment and care: purpose, characteristics and specific role in the oncologic sector]. / Istituti di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico: finalità, caratteristiche e ruolo specifico nel settore oncologico.

The qualities of Comprehensive Health Care Institutes facilities established to foster, carry out and coordinate activities of scientific research and assistance in the field of biomedicine are described. At present there are 23 centers, their activity being based on two fundamental features: 1) topical research in specific themes characterizing the role these Institutes continuously play; 2) specialized research concerning subjects of particular interest and/or urgency suggested by the Ministry of Health.