A critical evaluation of the consent requirement for child participation in health research
__________________________________________________________________ In the context of medical research, children are especially vulnerable to exploitation. As a result several codes of research ethics emphasise the need for special protection. Prior to the implementation of the National Health Act children participating in medical research enjoyed limited legal protection. Instead, research and ethical committees relied on non-research law and ethical guidelines to identify protective measures for children. The National Health Act establishes a platform for developing a wide range of legal norms for research on human subjects and supplements and strengthens the already existing principles related to informed consent. The Act deals specifically with consent for child participation in research. Section 71 requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian for a child to participate in all research conducted with minors, irrespective of age. In addition, minors with sufficient understanding must consent alongside their parents or legal guardians. While the purpose of the Act is to provide legal protection to participants, it fails to take into account the emerging autonomy of the adolescent sufficiently and ignores the fact that many children do not have parents or legal guardians and are cared for by alternative caregivers. These stricter controls are in contravention with other legislation such as the Children’s Act and Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, and may also undermine the constitutional rights of children. The study critically evaluates the consent requirements of the National Health Act with reference to the evolving capabilities of children and the exercise of their parents’ or caregivers’ parental or similar responsibilities and rights, and relevant suggestions are made.
Foundational Principles of South African Medical Law, Pieter Carstens and Debbie Pearmain : book review
The book attempts to provide the reader with an all-inclusive and detailed report on the basic principles underpinning medical law in South Africa. It discusses a diverse range of topics as well as the interesting dynamic between the general field of medical law and the Constitution.
Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, and Social Feasibility
Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Why Alternative Energy and Fuels? Chapter 3 Studying Public Policy and Alternative Energy/Fuels Chapter 4 Overview of Alternative Energy and Fuels and Their Uses Chapter 5 Alternative Energy/Fuels as a Public Policy Innovation Chapter 6 Solar Energy Chapter 7 Wind Energy Chapter 8 Geothermal Energy Chapter 9 New Century Fuels and Their Uses Chapter 10 Historical Precedents: Alternative Energy/Fuels and Legitimacy Issues 11 Public Policy, Institutional Developments and Policy Interests 12 Practical Demonstration of the Economics of Alternative Energy Chapter 13 Conclusion: The Future of Alternative Energy