The Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC) has the responsibility of evaluating, approving and monitoring research involving humans, The Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has the responsibility of evaluating, approving and monitoring research involving humans, and the environment. It does so by following ethical guidelines for research as stated by the Department of Health of South Africa and the Declaration of Helsinki as well as other relevant declarations and statements in the area of research ethics. It aims to protect the rights and welfare of research participants by adhering to the principles of beneficence, justice and respect for people, especially vulnerable populations. In so doing, it assesses the ethical implications of the study design and research methodology.