Clinical trials, children and the law

S Afr Med J. 1977 Feb 5;51(6):155-7.

Abstract

Clinical trials are necessary for the advancement of medical science. The law is reasonably tolerant as far as experiments on adults are concerned. The legal limits within which experiments on children, especially children of tender years, may take place are, however, far more strict. The medical researcher who goes beyond these limits is liable to be attacked for legal indecorum. This article deals with these legal limits and with guidelines for the researcher.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Human Experimentation*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Informed Consent*
  • Legislation, Medical*
  • Nontherapeutic Human Experimentation
  • Parental Consent
  • Parents
  • South Africa
  • Therapeutic Human Experimentation