Adults who lack the capacity to consent
Our motto was developed in 1991 to ensure that such research is conducted ethically and is sensitive to the needs of the individuals involved. It is currently being updated to reflect the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which comes into force in April 2007, but remains valid in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 governs decision-making on behalf of adults who lack mental capacity, both where they lose capacity at some point in their lives, and where the incapacitating condition has been present since birth. The MRC has welcomed the Act, as it has clarified and enshrined in law the statutory requirements for when adults who lack the capacity to consent are included in medical research studie
Use of personal information
When studying specific health problems, medical researchers sometimes need to use information about people drawn from surveys, medical records, scientific tests and interviews. Most of this information is confidential and inappropriate use of it could harm a person’s sense of security and autonomy, damage the doctor-patient relationship or lead to unfair discrimination.
The MRC provides guidance on how such information should be used, which the researchers we fund must follow. It reflects developments in law, changing public attitudes and medical researchers’ increasingly sophisticated information needs. The guidance also sets out procedures that must be followed by those undertaking or planning research that involves the use of patient data where consent from the individuals concerned has not or will not be obtained.
