GUIDELINES FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH RESEARCH - A POSITION-PAPER OF THE SOCIETY-FOR-ADOLESCENT-MEDICINE

Their ambiguous legal and ethical status has become a barrier to adole scents' appropriate involvement in research from which they may benefi t and which is needed to improve adolescent health care and to inform health policy. Involvement of adolescents in research should be based on a scientific and empathetic understanding of their developing capab ilities and a careful assessment of risks and benefits. The important role of parents and communities as protectors of adolescents should be respected and enhanced as we acknowledge and respect developing adole scent autonomy, These guidelines provide a framework to interpret the federal regulations for protection of human subjects in light of the u nique legal, ethical, developmental, contextual, and racial issues tha t affect adolescents. The guidelines are designed to protect individua l adolescent research subjects and to facilitate important youth resea rch that would promote the health of adolescents.