INFORMED CONSENT TO MEDICAL-CARE - AN EVOLVING CONCEPT

In France, a law passed on July 29, 1994, requires that medical care b e given only with the informed consent of the patient. This law states that only when an individual's health requires medical action is it w arranted to violate the integrity of the human body, and that even the n the consent of the individual should be obtained whenever possible. The place of informed consent in the judicial structure and logic is d iscussed. Difficulties raised by the concept of informed consent in a number of situations are pointed out, and suggestions for solutions ar e made.