Federal constraints: earned or unearned?

The author discusses the evolution of federal constraints on medical, behavioral, and social science research. There has been only one court decision related to behavioral research and none in medical research. The burden of consent procedures can be lightened somewhat by careful consideration of the potential risks and nature of the research; questions are presented that can be used to determine whether constraints apply. The author notes that although there are good reasons for regulations in both behavioral and medical research, the appropriateness of current and proposed constraints is still a matter of debate.