Comment by dekhn

I guess I have a different perspective. I know a fair number of world class scientists; like, the sort of people you end up reading about as having changed the textbook. One of these people, a well-known bacteriologist, brought his intended study to the IRB for his institution (UC Boulder), who said he couldn't do it because of various risks due to studying pathogenic bacteria. The bacteriologist, who knew far more about the science than the IRB, explained everything in extreme detail and batted away each attempt to shut him down.

Eventually, the IRB, unhappy at his behavior, said he couldn't do the experiment. He left for another institution (UC San Diego) immediately, having made a deal with the new dean to go through expedited review. It was a big loss for Boulder and TBH, the IRB's reasoning was not sound.