 Increasingly, researchers obtain and store human biological samples for use in future research studies. These studies raise important questions regarding what might be called ‘contribution’ and ‘information’ risks. The former question concerns the conditions under which it is acceptable to ask individuals to contribute to answering the scientific question posed by a given study (Jonas 1969). The fact that this question has been ignored by many commentators and regulations may trace to an overly narrow understanding of individuals’ interests. Individuals undoubtedly have an interest in avoiding the kinds of physical harms, pain, infection, loss of organ function, that they face in clinical research. This leaves the question of whether individuals’ interests are implicated, and whether they can be set back, by contributing to particular projects, activities and goals?