This article aims to consider the current situation with regard to the issue of
consent in relation to health-based research on the under-16s. It considers the
legal situation with regard to the issues of consent, assent and dissent, and their
application to research. Although under-16s can consent to treatment if deemed
competent according to the ‘Fraser guidelines’, application of
this principle in relation to research appears to be less clear with variability in
published guidance and the approach taken by ethics committees. Recent policy
changes including Research Governance have increased the scrutiny of consent to
research, and current changes appear likely to increase the requirement for parental
consent for those aged below 18 years. The impact of these ambiguities and changes
upon young people as service users are considered with particular reference to
sexual health, where they often access the service as autonomous individuals.
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