International ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving human subjects.

The CIOMS guidelines have been developed and revised with the problems of conducting medical research in less developed countries particularly in mind. The proposed guidelines were first published in 1982, revised in 1993, and have now been published in a third version after a revision process lasting three years. Last month the Bulletin published just one guideline and accompanying commentary. There now follow all the guidelines, without commentary, but with an appendix detailing what should be in a protocol.