This theme issue includes a special editorial by guest editors Dr. Sandra C. Quinn, associate dean for academic affairs and senior associate director of the Maryland Center for Health Equity, Dr. Nancy E. Kass, Phoebe R. Berman Professor of bioethics and Public Health, and Dr. Stephen B. Thomas, professor of health services administration and director of the Maryland Center for Health Equity, and peer-reviewed articles that explore the challenges of balancing a human subjects research enterprise that protects vulnerable populations, expands access to clinical trials, and delivers the just benefits of science to racial and minority populations.