The research program aims to produce world-class research in children's bioethics through the establishment of a sound evidence-base for ethical decision-making and rigorous, systematic and theory based ethical analysis. 

Specific areas of interest and activity

Specific areas of interest and activity in paediatric ethics research include:

• Clinical issues such as informed consent and end-of-life decision-making including withdrawal and withholding of treatment
• Genetics such as pre-natal screening and diagnosis, predictive genetic testing in children and young people, genetic counselling and informed decision-making
• Consent such as consent to children's participation in research, competence, opt-out consent, and children's assent
• Public Health such as vaccination, drug and alcohol service provision
• Behavioural disorders such as management of ADHD and other behavioural disorders and use of psychotropic therapies
  

Understanding Consent in Research Involving Children

This project was funded by the Alfred Felton Bequest.

This project investigated consent in research involving children. Parental consent is the ethical cornerstone of research involving children, but the concept of 'consent', both of the parent and the child, is not as well understood as it could be. This can lead to a problematic lack of clarity of the ethical role of and requirements for consent in some situations. 

The central aims of the project were to:

• Develop greater theoretical clarity of the concept of consent in research involving children
• Encourage clearer thinking by researchers and HRECs about consent in research involving children
• Produce an educational resource for researchers and HRECs.
• Develop an information brochure for parents to assist them in deciding about their child's involvement in research.

Fore more information visit the consent research pages.

Future projects

Potential research projects are identified and summarised, including proposed funding requirements and timelines.

Recent publications 

1. Barben, J., & Massie, J. (2023). Newborn screening for CF - The good, the bad and the ugly. Journal of cystic fibrosis : official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society, 22(1), 5–6.
   
2. Barnard, E., Gillam, L., Grover, S., & Guillemin, M. (2023). Understanding adolescent girls' and young women's health‐seeking for female genital cosmetic surgery: How can clinicians help their patients? Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 59(1), 95-99.
3. Bart, A., Hall, G. A., & Gillam, L. (2023). Gillick competence: an inadequate guide to the ethics of involving adolescents in decision-making. Journal of Medical Ethics.
4. El Ali, M., Licqurish, S., O'Neill, J., & Gillam, L. (2023). Truth-telling to the seriously ill child–Nurses’ experiences, attitudes, and beliefs. Nursing Ethics.
   
5. Hall G. A. (2023). Reconceiving Reproduction: Removing "Rearing" From the Definition-and What This Means for ART. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 21(1), 117–129.