A Family-Oriented Decision-Making Model for Human Research in Mainland China. Issue 4 (3rd July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rui, Deng
• Is Part Of: Journal of medicine and philosophy. Volume 40:Issue 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 400
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2015-07-03
• Subjects: family-oriented decision-making -- human subjects research -- informed consent -- mainland China; Medicine -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Ethics, Medical -- Periodicals; Philosophy, Medical -- Periodicals; 616.001
• DOI: 10.1093/jmp/jhv013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5310

Abstract

Abstract: This essay argues that individual-oriented informed consent is inadequate to protect human research subjects in mainland China. The practice of family-oriented decision-making is better suited to guide moral research conduct. The family's role in medical decision-making originates from the mutual benevolence that exists among family members, and is in accordance with family harmony, which is the aim of Confucian society. I argue that the practice of informed consent for medical research on human subjects ought to remain family-oriented in mainland China. This essay explores the main features of this model of informed consent and demonstrates the proper authority of the family. The family's participation in decision-making as a whole does not negate or deny the importance of the individual who is the subject of the choice, but rather acts more fully to protect research subjects.