The public, as usual, is overly trustful of the medical establishment. Research is fairly clear that items as subtle as small gifts influence behavior, even that of physicians. Large consulting contracts and substantial stock ownership, methinks, would thus nearly certainly influence behavior of IRB members. I'm not claiming that thousands of people are dying as a result of these conflicts of interest, but I'd bet there have been some negative consequences. And there are always some VERY bad apples scattered about -- Try Louis Fabre, for example. Do a quick Google search on him, read, then think a bit about if potential research participants should be wary.