82 C. MacGregor et al.
standard consent processes and the testing of comprehension, have
been shown to be an effective way to help improve research participant
understanding of research and to communicate information, so that
participants are more fully aware of what they are consenting to. We
would argue that an interactive consent procedure should become best
practice, as researchers have an ethical duty to ensure that research par-
ticipants are fully informed when providing consent. By advocating that
interactive consent should become best practice in scientific research, it
is hoped that past cases, such as the controversy surrounding Henrietta
Lacks, can be avoided.
Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants from the National
Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant (1059369),
the Bright Focus Foundation, Retina Australia, the Ophthalmic Research
Institute of Australia and the Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust. Alex
Hewitt is also funded by a NHMRC Fellowship. Alice Pébay is supported by
an Australia Research Council Future Fellowship. This study was led by Alex
Hewitt and Alice Pébay.
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