Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are designed to answer specific questions about drugs, new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work. Ideas for clinical trials usually come from researchers. After researchers test new therapies or procedures in the laboratory and get promising results, they begin planning clinical trials. New therapies are tested on people only after laboratory and animal studies show promising results.