Oxford Vaccine Group, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
J Med Ethics. 2012 Jan;38(1):3. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2011-100317.
A recent article from Archives of Disease in Childhood outlined problems with the act of gaining child assent for research participation. However the arguments used in the article are incomplete or misguided. Rather than being harmful, assent should be seen as an ethically-appropriate way in which we can engage with the child about his participation in research. While additional clarification of the concept of assent is needed, the child's family context can provide us with a valuable guide to the way we involve him in the decision-making process.
最近,《儿童疾病档案》上的一篇文章概述了在征得儿童同意参与研究方面存在的问题。然而,该文章中使用的论点并不完整或存在误导。同意不应被视为有害的,而应被视为一种伦理上合适的方式,通过这种方式我们可以与孩子讨论他参与研究的问题。虽然需要进一步澄清同意的概念,但孩子的家庭背景可以为我们提供有价值的指导,帮助我们让他参与决策过程。