Which incident heightened public awareness regarding issues with the IRB system?

The incident involving the death of Jesse Gelsinger is particularly significant in the context of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) system because it brought to the forefront serious ethical concerns regarding research involving human subjects. Gelsinger, an 18-year-old participating in a gene therapy trial at the University of Pennsylvania, died due to complications from the experimental treatment. His case highlighted numerous issues related to informed consent, oversight, and the handling of adverse events in clinical trials.

The incident led to widespread media coverage and public outrage, emphasizing the need for stricter ethical guidelines and oversight mechanisms in research practices. As a result, it galvanized calls for reforms within the IRB system to enhance protections for participants, which has had lasting impacts on how research with human subjects is regulated and conducted.

The other options, while significant in the realm of research ethics and oversight, did not have the same immediate and profound impact on public awareness as Gelsinger's case did. The establishment of the National Commission, the publication of the Belmont Report, and the implementation of the Common Rule all contributed to the development of ethical standards, but they did not trigger the same level of public concern and scrutiny as the tragic events surrounding Gelsinger's death did.