What could be a direct outcome of failing to follow GCP regulations?

Failing to follow Good Clinical Practice (GCP) regulations can lead to significant consequences, one of which is the potential loss of the license to conduct clinical research. GCP guidelines are established to ensure that clinical studies are designed, conducted, and reported in a manner that prioritizes the rights, safety, and well-being of study participants, as well as the integrity of the data collected.

When researchers do not adhere to these established regulations, it can result in various forms of non-compliance, such as compromised participant safety, improper handling of data, and inadequate reporting of results. Such breaches can draw scrutiny from institutional review boards and regulatory agencies, which may ultimately revoke the ability of a researcher or institution to conduct clinical trials. This outcome underscores the importance of compliance with GCP guidelines to maintain credibility and authority within the clinical research community.

The other options, while they might seem beneficial, do not directly relate to the consequences of ignoring GCP regulations. For instance, increased participant enrollment or improved quality of clinical data would not typically be seen as outcomes of non-compliance. Similarly, the idea of expanded research opportunities is unlikely because without adherence to GCP, researchers may find it difficult to secure funding or approval for future studies.