The IRB’s mission is clear — to ensure human research subjects’ rights, safety, and welfare are protected to the extent possible. It cannot allow itself to be influenced by outside pressures as it makes its determinations, and must remain independent. IRB Policy 1.5, IRB Independence from Undue Influence, has just been revised, and the updated version is now available on the IRB’s website. This policy describes how IRB members are required to report any external influences intended to persuade the IRB to act a certain way to favor an investigator, department, or the institution over the subjects’ rights, safety, and welfare and the ethical conduct of research.