 Given that many activities expose some to risks for the benefit of others, yet are not subject to such extensive regulation, some commentators conclude that many of the requirements for clinical research are unjustified (Sachs 2010, Stewart et al. 2008, and Sullivan 2008). This work is based on the assumption that, when it comes to regulation and ethical analysis, we should treat clinical research as we treat other activities in daily life which involve exposing some to risks for the benefit of others. This assumption leads to a straightforward solution to the central ethical problem posed by clinical research.