•✩• Is it Ethical to Do Scientific Testing on Minors?

[Barnette ⋆˙⟡ , Creator, Head Moderator]

Thanks for the suggestion, Hazel!

[Hazel]

Seeing as minors can't legally consent to being part of scientific studies, is it really ethical?
Most of the studies i've looked at, you have to above 16 to be a part of, which seems fair to me.

[gia!!]

100 percent agree

[Sai :), Assistant Moderator]

agreed!
also minors shouldn't be engaging in anything potentially life-altering, like they're still young we don't always make the best decisions and honestly your life won't end if you can't participate in a study

[{Star} {Emily ver}]

I lowkey thought this topic was saying is it ethical to do TESTING on MINORS- I was gonna freak out 😭

I'm assuming yall are talking about studies 👍

[Sai :), Assistant Moderator]

😭😭 I'm pretty sure we're talking about consensual testing 😭 otherwise, that's just messed up on a whole different level

[Rowan]

✶ Star ✶ (Angel dust~) wrote: "I lowkey thought this topic was saying is it ethical to do TESTING on MINORS- I was gonna freak out 😭

I'm assuming yall are talking about studies 👍"


ME TOOO, I literally was about to come give my spiel about how this isn't an argument it's torture, but, now that i realize. STILL NOOOOO, their brains aren't developed yet

[gia!!]

they legally cannot consent to this, so no

[Nima]

I think as long as they have written and informed consent from both the minor and a legal parent/guardian (bc minors can't legally consent), it would be considered ethical by Institutional Review Board standards.

[Sai :), Assistant Moderator]

i guess, but also how can a guardian give consent for their kid? i get it but also i don't, the minor should be able to directly make their own decisions and if they aren't old enough too, then they should just be not allowed until theyre 18

[Barnette ⋆˙⟡ , Creator, Head Moderator]

What if the test is specifically about children and how a certain medication reacts with children or how their brain functions in a certain situation or something like that? (not really directed at anyone, just a prompt)

[kitcantspell]

i feel like there are a lot of different variables here, like whatre they testing for? will they be undergoing some sort of medication for it? how old are they?

bc i feel like there are some types of testing that can be good for someone and help them, making it ethical, but then it can be negative and immediately make it unethical

[gia!!]

i mean itshouldnt be completely up to the parents even in that case, the child shoukd have a say. on the other hand, minors cant legally consent for a good reason

[bibliophile [semi ia]]

I don’t think it’s ethical to do testing on a child in most scenarios. If a child can’t consent to sex they can’t consent to scientific testing.
However, if a child’s life is on the line and this might help, then it is up to the parents and child to discuss and decide

[Hazel]

What about non-invasive tests, like brain scans, for research purposes?

[bibliophile [semi ia]]

Is that what we mean by scientific testing? I thought we’re discussing drug trials

[Hazel]

bibliophile [semi ia] wrote: "Is that what we mean by scientific testing? I thought we’re discussing drug trials"

I meant scientific research, i didnt realise barnette put the title as testing lol. But yeah, any kind if research which can range from brain scans and blood tests to drug trials

[bibliophile [semi ia]]

I think non invasive scientific testing is a completely different discussion
But even the radiation from an x ray cld be unsafe. It’s radiation after all.
(Not that I’m a big believer in coddling lol)

[Barnette ⋆˙⟡ , Creator, Head Moderator]

Hazel wrote: "bibliophile [semi ia] wrote: "Is that what we mean by scientific testing? I thought we’re discussing drug trials"

I meant scientific research, i didnt realise barnette put the title as testing lol..."

I can change the title if needed

[Hazel]

Barnette ⋆˙⟡ {single pringle version} wrote: "Hazel wrote: "bibliophile [semi ia] wrote: "Is that what we mean by scientific testing? I thought we’re discussing drug trials"

Its okayy dw
I meant scientific research, i didnt realise barnette put the title ..."

[Hazel]

bibliophile [semi ia] wrote: "I think non invasive scientific testing is a completely different discussion
But even the radiation from an x ray cld be unsafe. It’s radiation after all.
(Not that I’m a big believer in coddling..."

Yeah agreed

[Barnette ⋆˙⟡ , Creator, Head Moderator]

Oki

[Hazel]

Theough if someone us trialing a drug that treats illnesses iñ children, the drig would need to be tested on a small group of children..

[Ava ୨ৎ (semi-hiatus)]

Hazel wrote: "What about non-invasive tests, like brain scans, for research purposes?"

Ofc you should be allowed to do brain scans on minors that’s necessary for a lot of health stuff and brain injuries 😭 ik it’s for research purposes which is different, but I’d say if they’re over 13 and them and their parents agree then why not? With invasive testing and drug trials it’s very different though

[Khadijah]

No it isn't.

[Achelois (Ash)]

i will say i just did a research project where we specifically were looking at how ai therapy effected teens and there were like no studies. the best ones i found were with college students

but i feel like if they consent, their parents consent, and they're over like 13 or smth they should be good.