The specific event that brought increased public attention to the problems with the IRB system was the death of research subject Jesse Gelsinger in a gene therapy trial in 1999.

Direct answer

  • In exam-style and textbook-style questions that ask “Which of the following brought increased public attention to the problems with the IRB system?”, the keyed correct answer is:
    Death of research subject (Jesse Gelsinger).

Why this case mattered

  • Jesse Gelsinger was an 18‑year‑old participant in an experimental gene therapy trial at the University of Pennsylvania who died in 1999 from treatment‑related complications.
  • After his death, investigations revealed concerns about conflict of interest, disclosure of risks, and adequacy of oversight, which focused public and regulatory scrutiny on how IRBs were functioning.

Context: IRB problems highlighted

  • The Gelsinger case is widely cited in ethics and research‑methods teaching as a turning point that exposed weaknesses in protections for human research subjects, even when an IRB had approved the study.
  • It reinforced broader criticisms of IRBs, including inconsistent review quality, heavy bureaucracy, and questions about whether they truly prioritized participant safety over institutional interests.

TL;DR: For the question “which of the following brought increased public attention to the problems with the IRB system,” choose “Death of research subject (Jesse Gelsinger).”