### Question
How does the law define clinical research?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 284d*, **clinical research** is defined as:

> patient oriented clinical research conducted with human subjects, or research on the causes and consequences of disease in human populations involving material of human origin (such as tissue specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator or colleague directly interacts with human subjects in an outpatient or inpatient setting to clarify a problem in human physiology, pathophysiology or disease, or epidemiologic or behavioral studies, outcomes research or health services research, or developing new technologies, therapeutic interventions, or clinical trials

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 284d*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 6A-PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE > SUBCHAPTER III-NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES > Part B-General Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes**

