Legal Barriers to Adolescent Participation in Research About HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

TEENAGERS; HUMAN research subjects -- Legal status, laws, etc.; HIV prevention; MEDICAL experimentation on humans -- Law & legislation; CLINICAL trial laws; STATE laws; INFORMED consent (Medical law); DRUG therapy; PREVENTION of sexually transmitted diseases; DISEASES; LEGAL status of teenagers; MEDICAL laws; AIDS laws; HEALTH; LAW; HIV infections; HEALTH policy; SEXUALLY transmitted diseases; ADOLESCENCE; MEDICAL research

Whether adolescents can participate in clinical trials of pharmacologic therapies for HIV prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, without parental permission hinges on state minor consent laws. Very few of these laws explicitly authorize adolescents to consent to preventive services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Unclear state laws may lead to research cessation. We have summarized legal, ethical, and policy considerations related to adolescents' participation in HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention research in the United States, and we have explored strategies for facilitating adolescents' access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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