Consent Policy

Informed Consent Policy

All participants in human subjects research have a right to privacy that should not be violated without informed consent. Identifying information, including names, initials, etc., should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, or pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the participants (or parent or guardian) give written informed consent for publication. Informed consent in this situation requires that an identifiable participant be shown the manuscript and should provide the consent before publication. Authors should disclose to these patients whether any potentially identifiable material might be available via the Internet as well as in print after publication. Participants’ consent should be written and archived either with the Journal, the authors, or both, as dictated by local regulations or laws.