The Limits of Consent – A Socio-ethical Approach to Human Subject Research in Medicine

Citation

(2009), "The Limits of Consent – A Socio-ethical Approach to Human Subject Research in Medicine", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 22 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2009.06222cae.003

The Limits of Consent – A Socio-ethical Approach to Human Subject Research in Medicine

Article Type: Recent publications From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 22, Issue 3

Edited by Oonagh Corrigan, John McMillan, Kathleen Liddell, Martin Richards and Charles Weijer,OUP,January 2009,ISBN-13: 978-0-19-923146-1

Keywords: Healthcare research, Informed patient consent, Healthcare treatments

Since its inception as an international principle to protect the welfare of patients and volunteers taking part in medical research, informed consent has become increasingly important within healthcare. Despite its ubiquitous status, there are a number of scholars who are beginning to question whether consent is adequate for contemporary biomedical research. The Limits of Consent considers a number of criticisms that have been leveled at the prominence given to autonomy, a central tenet underpinning the rationale for informed consent in Western bioethics. It raises questions about how quickly and easily this principle has been adopted, and how appropriate it is for those actively engaged in research. In the context of genetic research, for example, the individual’s overriding right of autonomy to give consent to research could have huge implications for other members of their families.

The Limits of Consent questions the assumption that informed consent protects or facilitates individual autonomy, and discusses empirical studies which suggest that gaining a truly informed consent can be difficult to achieve in practice. With the expectation of treatment and guidance from the physician, how much is the process of consent governed by social norms and expectations? The Limits of Consent focuses on three principal areas within biomedical research: clinical trials, genetic research, and research with those who may have impaired capacity to consent. It is a truly multi-disciplinary book, incorporating perspectives from medicine, law, philosophy and sociology.

The Limits of Consent is a fascinating exploration of the inadequacies of consent, and will appeal to those in the fields of bioethics, socio-legal studies, sociology, and health law. Policy makers, research ethics committee members, and those healthcare professionals with an interest in medical ethics, will also find the book of interest.

Contents include:

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  “Introduction.”

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  “Informed consent in medical research - a procedure stretched beyond breaking point?”

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  “Beyond consent: the trust-based obligations of physicians to patients in clinical research.”

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  “Consent and private liability in clinical research.”

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  “The decision to refuse consent to participation in a clinical trial: does a double standard exist?”

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  “Beyond a rebarbative commitment to consent.”

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  “The normative status of the requirement to gain an informed consent in clinical trials: comprehension, obligations and empirical evidence.”

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  “Is there an obligation to participate in medical research?”

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  “Consent with older people: research as a virtuous relationship.”

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  “Towards supported decision-making in biomedical research with cognitively vulnerable adults.”

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  “Is consent sufficient? – a case study of qualitative research with men with intellectual disabilities.”

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  “Consent to genetic testing: a family affair?”

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  “Cultural authority of informed consent: indigenous participation in bio banking and salmon genomics focus groups.”