The 5th Annual CCTS Bioethics Forum brought together researchers, bioethicists, students, community members, front-line research staff, and clinical staff to discuss ethical issues in research. What is the purpose of the 5th Annual CCTS Bioethics Forum? To provide the ‘reflective space’ that stakeholders (prospective participants, researchers and research personnel, institutions) engaged in the research enterprise need for critical reflection and to facilitate with stakeholders increased awareness of pertinent issues crucial to promoting and maintaining a ‘culture of ethical exploration’ in CCTS institutions engaged in biomedical research.