Group consent

This suggestion of group consent kicked off a lively debate that, five years later, persists in the literature of research ethics. The North American Committee s position has found many opponents (National Research... 

A related issue is the question of which patients to include in an evaluation. The most usefirl evaluation would be one that included all patients likely to use a service in the real world. However, in order to make evaluations feasible, and because of the need to achieve the informed consent of patients, many prospective clinical trials exclude certain patient groups. For example, many schizophrenia trials exclude patients with... 

Council, 1998 Juengst, 1998a, 1998b Reilly, 1998 Reilly and Page, 1998) and few supporters (Freeman, 1998). It has, however, spawned substantial discussion of an intermediate position, sometimes called "community consultation," which would require researchers to discuss their proposed research broadly with the affected group, although not to seek or obtain their formal consent (Foster et al., 1999 Foster and Sharp, 2000 Foster et al., 1998). 

Research subjects may want to limit the research use of their materials and data to scientists they trust and ends of which they approve. It currently may take a lawyer s reading of the consent form to determine whether the materials and data may be shared or used for other purposes. Even if the form does limit who can use the research materials and data and for what purposes, the extent to which those forms can and will be enforced is limited. Minority groups with special concerns about the use of samples and data from their groups need to reach clear and enforceable understandings with researchers. Groups may want to limit the research use of their samples and data to the questions initially posed or further questions expressly approved by the group. Similarly, they may wish to limit to whom the samples and data can be transferred. 

I interviewed them individually once again and later briefed them as a group, a day before the scheduled LSD study. Only then did we ask them to sign separate informed consents, one for the test itself and one for the videotape recording. Apparently undaunted by the rigors of their previous tests with BZ, they seemed eager to discover the effects of a different chemical agent. 

The study was performed in patients exposed to ionizing radiation after Chernobyl accident. Comparison groups included patients and healthy individuals exposed to the natural radiation levels. Control group included healthy volunteers who resided in Kyiv since Chernobyl accident Distribution by diagnosis is presented at table 1. Investigated persons were at the age of 43-72 (mean+SD for the exposed group 52,3 + 10,1 yrs for control group- 46,3 + 11,3 yrs). All studied persons participated by informed consent. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were obtained by a standard procedure (National. Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, 1991). Flow... 

Actually, the department didn t have a vacancy. Because the university was under a federal consent decree, it had what is called a4>rogram. Under this program, if a person from an underrepresented group inquires alx)ut a position, the school will interview that person. Fortunately, I was offered a tenure-track position. I accepted the offer because I was in a nontenure-track position at a small historically white university. When I informed the department of my decision to leave, only then did they offer to convert my position to tenure track. 

Members of this team jointly meet with the EPA to facilitate these goals. This working group has been a success in improving communications with all parties to implement the consent decrees and meet the stated objectives. 

Age Factor. A final question is the issue of age, which may also play a significant role. In addressing this factor, Stanley et al. ( 16) compared elderly (mean age = 69.2 5.3) with younger (mean age = 33.7 6.6) medical patients for capacity to consent. Although both groups tended to make reasonable decisions, the elderly patients demonstrated poorer comprehension for various elements of the informed consent process. Thus, special care must be taken to ensure that older patients comprehend sufficiently to give a valid consent. 

T HE DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL METHODS for the specific organic pollutants listed in the Consent Decree of 1976 between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Administrator and several environmental groups is reviewed in this chapter (J). Also discussed is the current status of analytical methods for quantitative determination of these pollutants as well as methods for the analysis of drinking waters as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (2). 

Of the 96 patients selected, 55 were positive for Dermatophagoides (57%) and 41 were positive for Graminaceae or Parietaria (43%). The patients selected were randomized into two groups the active group that received specific LNIT and the placebo group that received a lactose powder formulation in order to be taste-masked. Ah patients gave written informed consent. 

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