Protecting the vulnerable in brain research.

Robert M. Cook-Deegan, M.D., of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, looks at several new attempts to forge workable policy on participation in clinical brain research and warns that another unresolved clash of interests will produce only victims. Although the issues are complex, says Cook-Deegan, there is ample common ground. He recommends some principles that could help to end the costly stalemate.