ACOG Committee Opinion No. 307. Partner consent for participation in women's reproductive health research.

Abstract

Recent advances in reproductive medicine include treatment of subfertility as well as investigation of agents that may serve as both contraceptives and potential prophylaxis against sexually transmitted diseases, including potential protection from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although there is no doubt regarding the need for informed consent by women participating in trials evaluating the safety and effectiveness of these novel agents and treatments, there has been some debate regarding the necessity and propriety of requiring consent from the partners of women involved in certain types of clinical trials involving reproductive health. Issues of partner consent are unique to research surrounding women 's reproductive health as opposed to research pertaining to women's health, in general. This is due, in part, to a valid concern about a potential effect of the research on the partner. There are, therefore, legitimate reasons to obtain partner consent for a woman's participation in a clinical trial. In the absence of such reason, partner consent should not be mandated.