Open AccessFailing the vulnerable: Three new consent norms that will undermine health research with children
Author(s) -
Ann Strode,
Marlise Richter,
Melissa Wallace,
Jacintha Toohey,
Karl-Günter Technau
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
southern african journal of hiv medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.859
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2078-6751
pISSN - 1608-9693
DOI - 10.7196/sajhivmed.1014
Subject(s) - medicine , statutory law , informed consent , clarion , psychological intervention , health care , public relations , portfolio , law , political science , nursing , alternative medicine , psychology , business , finance , pathology , cognitive psychology
The South African National Health Act (No. 61 of 2003) provides a legal framework for the regulation of the health system across the country. Within the Act, section 71 introduces a number of legal norms relating to research or experimentation with human subjects, including research on HIV prevention and treatment. These norms have been criticised for the negative impact they will have on research involving children. This article describes three of the new consent requirements in section 71 of the Act. It shows, using a range of case studies, how important HIV-related research will be halted or undermined if the current provisions are implemented. The article argues that the new consent requirements are out of step with other statutory provisions and ethical guidelines, and as a result they will exclude a large population group – children in diverse settings – from much-needed evidence-based healthcare interventions. The article concludes with a clarion call for support of advocacy on this issue with the Minister of Health and the Health Portfolio Committee. S Afr J HIV Med 2014;15(2):46-49. DOI:10.7196/SAJHIVMED.1014 Failing the vulnerable: Three new consent norms that will undermine health research with childre