Abstract
The ethics of medical research constitutes one part within the field of medical ethics and bioethics where a far reaching consensus could be found at least as far as the principles and necessary procedures are concerned. Much more moral conflict is, however, prevalent in other parts of bioethics. The consensus achieved in the ethics of medical research was built upon the concept of informed consent, which is deemed a central aspect in the ethics of research on human beings. The focus on informed consent, however, causes problems in cases where research subjects are unable to give consent for whatever reason. Minors make up for one of the groups where the capability to give free and informed consent is, at least, problematic.
The lack of informed consent in the case of minors creates a dilemma in that paediatric research is needed for good paediatric practice and for the benefit of future minor individuals.
Against this background, alternative concepts such as assumed consent (McCormick), educational benefit or minimal risk have been developed.
With reference to the clinical translation of stem cells, detailed ethical and regulatory guidelines have been discussed. Nevertheless, no special recommendations for the clinical translation of stem cells to minors are in place at the current moment. The article examines the helpfulness of the distinct alternative concepts.
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Fuchs, M. (2011). Translational Stem Cell Research in Pediatrics: Ethical Issues. In: Hug, K., Hermerén, G. (eds) Translational Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-959-8_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-959-8_13
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