Protecting subjects without hampering research progress: guidance from the office for human research protections.

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) within the US Department of Health and Human Services aims to protect human research subjects without hampering scientific progress. Institutions can foster safe and efficient research by guarding against conflicts of interest, making research subject safety a priority, having a well-staffed institutional review board, and continually training new investigators. The OHRP provides education on its Web site (www.hhs.gov/ohrp/) and is available to make site visits to offer guidance on federal regulations.