Organ donation from prison

Magee, Elizabeth; Levy, Michael H

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb00842.x

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To the Editor: The National Health and Medical Research Council’s National statement on ethical conduct in research involving humans1 recognises that prisoners can participate in research, but categorises them as “persons in dependent or unequal relationships”. They have limited capacity to provide informed consent.

Justice Health, Sydney, NSW.

Correspondence: michael.levy@justicehealth.nsw.gov.au

1. National Health and Medical Research Council. National statement on ethical conduct in research involving humans. Canberra: NHMRC, 1999. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e35syn.htm (accessed Nov 2006).
2. Butler T, Kariminia A, Levy M, Kaldor J. Prisoners are at risk for hepatitis C transmission. Eur J Epidemiol 2004; 19: 1119-1122.
3. Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Confidential donor questionnaire. http://www.donateblood.com.au/Donor/guide/eligible.asp (accessed Nov 2006). Page now available at http://www.donateblood.com.au/page.aspx?IDDataTreeMenu=88&parent=30#answer18 (accessed Jan 2007).

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