When we conduct clinical trials, what should our primary goal be? Is it making sure that we ensure the safety and protection of research participants and optimize their outcomes? Or, as others argue, is it the collection of scientifically solid data that we can use to make evidence-based medical decisions for future patients- even if that means individual research participants may not have the best outcomes?

In this on-demand offering, Dr. Jerry Menikoff, former director of the Office of Human Research Protections at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), discusses the thought-provoking debate raised in his recent JAMA editorial, “Protecting Participants is Not the Top Priority in Clinical Research.” We’ll explore the ethical complexities, diverse perspectives, and the implications of this debate on the growing movement to expand clinical trial participation as a care option.