An article in the New England Journal of Medicine analyzes the changes in the final version of the Common Rule for research on human subjects, published on January 18. The proposed changes in the NPRM would have significantly affected the rules, particularly for research involving biological specimens, but the final version partially adopted them and abandoned the controversial expansion of the definition of human subjects to include anonymous or de-identified biospecimens. The final rules allow for “broad consent” from the subject for storage and secondary research of identifiable biospecimens. The rules are intended to simplify and streamline informed consent documents, adding elements such as information on the use of biospecimens for commercial gain. They expand the categories of research exempt from Common Rule regulation due to low risk, although some require limited review by an institutional ethics committee. These amendments maintain the current scope of regulation for research funded or regulated by federal agencies.