Every time we add regulations to research studies, we influence the design and types of research that can be conducted. Let's hypothetically think of participants who agree to a clinical trial. For this example, let's say the person is terminal and has exhausted all medical options. If they are given a placebo (which is deception) and die - is this putting the person in distress?

As a social science, we often study trauma, which can be very distressing. Although we don't want to distress a subject, it may be necessary. This begs the question (to me) how do we conduct informative research about important issues in our society if we are not allowed to distress the subjects?