What is legally required for research involving children?

For research involving children, it is legally required to obtain parental permission and the child's assent. This framework acknowledges that children are a vulnerable population and may not fully understand the implications of their participation in research. Parental permission ensures that parents or guardians have given their informed consent, acknowledging their role in protecting the child's welfare.

The child's assent is equally important as it respects the developing autonomy of the child. Even if a child may not be legally able to provide informed consent on their own, they should be involved in the decision-making process to the extent that is appropriate for their age, maturity, and psychological state. This ethical consideration fosters an environment of respect and promotes the child’s involvement in decisions that affect them, rather than treating them merely as subjects of research.

In short, obtaining both parental permission and the child’s assent ensures that the rights and welfare of the child participants are safeguarded. This dual requirement reflects fundamental ethical principles set out in guidelines such as the Belmont Report, emphasizing respect for persons, beneficence, and justice in research practices.