DOE Human Subjects Protection Program

Participating DOE Laboratories and Sites

Regulations, Orders,
and Policies

DOE Human Subjects Resources

Other Resources

Community IRB Members

DOE Worker
Health-Related Studies and Programs

Scientific Integrity

Contract Acknowledgement

Participating DOE Laboratories and Sites

Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is a major multiprogram research institution managed and operated for DOE by the University of Chicago. As the United States’ first national laboratory, chartered in 1946, ANL was given the initial mission of developing nuclear reactors for peaceful purposes.

Argonne occupies two sites: one near Chicago, Illinois, and the other in Idaho Falls, Idaho—the home of most of Argonne’s major nuclear reactor research facilities. ANL’s current vision is to ensure national leadership in pursuing new scientific knowledge and technologies to enhance energy security, national security, economic productivity, and quality of life.

Argonne employs more than 4,000 people and conducts research related to strategic goals in the areas of:

• hydrogen research and development.
• advanced nuclear fuel cycle.
• nuclear energy.
• nuclear physics and the rare isotope accelerator.
• nanoscience and nanotechnology.
• bioscience.
• advanced scientific computing.
• national security.
• environmental research.
• national user facilities.

A few human subjects research projects have been conducted by ANL in the past; however, there is presently no ongoing human subjects research. Although the number of these projects may increase in the future, ANL currently uses the University of Chicago’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). In return, the ANL IRB coordinator provides reviewer support for the University of Chicago IRB. This mutually supportive working relationship continues to prove beneficial in providing protections for human subjects in research.

While a few human subjects research projects have been conducted by ANL in the past, there is no ongoing human subjects research.  ANL currently uses the University of Chicago’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). In return, the ANL IRB coordinator provides reviewer support for the University of Chicago IRB. This mutually supportive working relationship continues to prove beneficial in providing protections for human subjects in research.

Also of note is the Former Worker Medical Surveillance Program conducted for former workers from ANL and sponsored by the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security (HS-15). Screening for ANL former workers is one component of the multi-site National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP), managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities in partnership with National Jewish Medical Center, Occupational HealthLink, and Comprehensive Health Services (a nationwide network of occupational health clinics). 

Another DOE site IRB, the Oak Ridge Sitewide IRB, serves as the DOE IRB of record for this multi-site program. In this role it conducts initial and ongoing reviews of standard medical screening protocols, informational materials, and consent forms for clarity and consistency.

Content reviewed: June 25, 2007