Children and clinical research: ethical issues

Published 14/05/2015

To consider whether the current systems for regulating clinical research strike the right balance with respect to:
1. promoting understanding of childhood conditions and the availability of evidence-based treatments for children;
2. the role children themselves should play in research decisions; and
3. the proper protection of child participants.
To consider, as may be necessary:
1. how it may be ensured that appropriate priority is given to research that is most likely to benefit children;
2. how the ethical acceptability of research projects should be determined, and the role of the various parties involved, including parents, in protecting children’s welfare;
3. the relevance of a child’s ‘best interests’ or capacity to ‘benefit’ in the context of consent to research, as opposed to treatment;
4. the importance of the international context;
5. any other aspects of the direct or indirect regulation of clinical research in children that may be relevant.
To draft a report and make recommendations as appropriate.

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