HHS Proposes Changes Related to Human Subjects Research

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced recently that the agency will propose changes to the regulations overseeing human subjects research. Often referred to as the Common Rule, the proposed changes are designed to strengthen protections for human research subjects.

The HHS issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register on July 25, 2011 calling for public comment. The changes under consideration and opportunity to comment can be found through the HHS, office for Human Research Protections Web page. The comment period is open through September 26, 2011.