Since 1972, the issue of human rights protection has grown in complexity and intensity. Congress has passed four laws: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974; Freedom of Information Act, as amended; Privacy Act of 1974; and National Research Act of 1974. From 1971-1980, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW) and then the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) required that all prospective grantees of federal funds provide assurances to protect human subjects involved in research activities. Recent amendments to these regulations have exempted broad categories of research which normally present little or no risk of harm to subjects. Researchers have expressed concern over the conflict between the Freedom of Information Act (when the person who paid for a study through taxes believes he or she has a right to the data that was collected), and the Privacy Act and DHEW/HHS regulations (when the person who provides data does so only under the condition that confidentiality is maintained). Investigation of current operating procedures of the federal government reveals nine areas which constitute an informal system for protection of human subjects. (BW)