Experimenting on children? Event

On 7 August 2013, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) launched its consultation on the ethical issues arising from involving children in clinical research. As noted by the NCOB, there is a lack of clarity around some questions regarding children’s participation in clinical research. For example, there is no reported case law on whether Gillick competency applies in a clinical research setting, although the legal position for clinical trials for new medicines IS clearly laid out in the relevant regulations, such that children under 16 cannot – in law – make their own decisions about participating in a clinical trial (consent of a parent with parental responsibility is required).

There are complicating factors, including practical and financial issues – ie what will companies fund, in the short and long term? And, more obviously, questions about ‘best interests’ for the children in question – when children have been and are perceived as a ‘vulnerable’ group.
HEAL will be responding to the consultation, and the roundtable discussion will feed directly into our response.