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LETTERS: Sarah Clement Full information about trials might be given retrospectively to participants BMJ 1999; 318: 736a [Full text]

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Informed consent

Charlotte Williamson   (31 March 1999)

Informed consent 31 March 1999
Charlotte Williamson Send response to journal: Re: Informed consent	EDITOR - Sarah Clement's thoughtful letter about witholding certain information from participants in trials when seeking their consent1 cannot overcome four objections. Failing to give full information about randomisation abuses patients' trust; it falls below the standards that patient groups themselves have articulated2; it vitiates any idea of partnership between investigators and participants; and it contravenes recent GMC guidance that the 'fullest possible information' be given to those considering taking part in research3. Witholding information easily descends into deceit and cannot be justified in medical research. Charlotte Williamson Chair, CERES (Consumers for Ethics in Research) PO Box 1365, London N16 0BW 1 Clement S. Full information about trials might be given retrospectively to participants. BMJ 1999;318:736. 2 Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services, The National Childbirth Trust. A Charter for Ethical Research in Maternity Care. London:AIMS and NCT,1997. 3 General Medical Council. Seeking patients' consent: the ethical considerations. London:GMC,1999.