How are human subjects defined by federal regulations?

The definition of human subjects according to federal regulations encompasses living individuals who provide identifiable private information. This includes any data that can be used to identify an individual, which is essential for establishing the scope of protections under regulations that govern human subjects research. This regulation places emphasis on the privacy and confidentiality of individuals participating in research studies, ensuring their identifiable private information is handled with the utmost care.

In this context, identifiable private information refers to details that can link data to specific individuals, including personal health information, social behaviors, and demographic data. This definition is foundational to ethical research practices, as it ensures that researchers consider the rights and welfare of individuals whose information is being collected and analyzed.

Identifying and protecting personal information supports the ethical standards that govern research involving human subjects, promoting trust and social responsibility within the research community.