- The Nuremberg Code (1947): States research ethical principles for human experimentation
- The Declaration of Helsinki (1964-2008): Details ethical principles related to the protection of the life, privacy, health and dignity of the human subject
- The Oviedo Convention (1997): Seeks the protection of Human Rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine
- The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): Seeks to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the diversity of species, habitats and ecosystems on the planet
- The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000): Seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms, taking into account human health
- The new Swiss law on human research (Loi fédérale relative à la recherche sur l’être humain du 30 septembre 2011, or LRH) has entered into force on January 1st, 2014. More information on the LRH.
- Article about the LRH: “Of Guinea-Pigs and Scientists“
- “Me, a Guinea pig?”: a debate about human subject research in “Science! On tourne”.
- The point of view of the National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics on research involving children.
- The European charter of Fundamental Rights (2000): The first formal EU document that tries to combine and declare all the values and fundamental rights (economic and social as well as civil and political) to which EU citizens should be entitled (in particular articles 1,3,7,8,10)