This paper examines the ethical standards governing research conducted on children, with particular focus on the guidelines established by the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). It discusses the principles of non-harm and informed consent, the limitations of those principles, and the complex question of whether children can meaningfully consent to research participation. The paper also addresses the tension between protecting children from research risks and the documented harm caused by the lack of pediatric research — illustrated through the off-label use of antidepressants in young children. The author argues that existing ethical codes need more specific guidance, including cost-benefit frameworks and distinctions between experimental and descriptive research.
According to the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), several basic principles must be followed when research is conducted on children. The SRCD guidelines are not intended to be comprehensive; rather, they address a specific sub-topic of research — namely, the ethical quandaries that arise when children are research subjects. Because children may not fully understand the long-term implications of research conducted upon them, there is a serious question as to whether children can ever truly and knowingly consent to participate in research in a meaningful fashion, particularly younger children. Parents and other adults act as guardians of the child's interests and are assumed to have the knowledge needed to guide the child toward the best possible course of action.
The first principle established by the SRCD states that research procedures must be non-harmful: "The investigator should use no research procedure that may harm the child either physically or psychologically. The investigator is also obligated at all times to use the least stressful research procedure whenever possible" (Ethical Standards for Research, 2012, SRCD). However, no specific definition of what constitutes "harm" is provided, leaving this critical term open to interpretation.
There is also the principle of informed consent, which applies to both the child and the parent. "Before seeking consent or assent from the child, the investigator should inform the child of all features of the research that may affect his or her willingness to participate and should answer the child's questions in terms appropriate to the child's comprehension" (Ethical Standards for Research, 2012, SRCD). Similarly, "the informed consent of parents, legal guardians or those who act in loco parentis (e.g., teachers, superintendents of institutions) should be obtained, preferably in writing," and parents, like children, should be informed of the full particulars of the research (Ethical Standards for Research, 2012, SRCD). If other adults such as teachers are also subjects or participants in the study, their consent must be obtained as well.
"Challenges to meaningful parental understanding of risks"
"Off-label antidepressant use illustrates research gaps"
"Proposed improvements to child research ethical codes"
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.