Guidelines (established at the Syracuse Development Center) for conducting human research with institutionalized mentally retarded persons are discussed, particularly in relation to research in behavior modification. After a literature review, the five step procedure suggested by the Center is listed with such steps as submitting a proposal which identifies benefits and risks and obtaining written informed consent from the subjects, parents, or legal guardians. The difficulty of determining what constitutes subject informed consent and the possibility that parents or guardians may not always be acting in the best interests of their children has led to guidelines requiring (1) that permission also be obtained from the facility's Human Rights Committee and (2) that no S ever be forced to participate in a study even though appropriate consent was obtained. Other issues addressed include obtaining consent from no-treatment control subjects, the use of aversive conditioning methods, and fear research. Appended are forms required at the Center in the research approval process. (PHR)