Adolescents Lack Sufficient Maturity to Consent to Medical Research. Issue 3 (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cherry, Mark J.
• Editors: Sade, Robert M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of law, medicine & ethics. Volume 45:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 307
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: Medical laws and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Legislation, Medical -- Periodicals; Legislation, Nursing -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation; Medical ethics; Medical laws and legislation; United States; Periodicals; 344.73041
• DOI: 10.1177/1073110517737528
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1105

Abstract

Abstract : This study explores the ways in which adolescents, even so-called "mature minors", lack adequate development of the intellectual, affective, and emotional capacities necessary morally to consent to medical research on their own behalf. The psychological and neurophysiological data regarding brain maturation supports the conclusion that adolescents are qualitatively different types of agents than mature adults. They lack full adult maturity and personal agency. As a result, in addition to the usual requirements for IRB approval, one or both parents, or a legal guardian, should provide informed consent for minor children to participate in medical research.