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The article focuses on obtaining a participant's consent for the use of confidential medical information in research. Requirements for obtaining consent in research are discussed. Types of research participant consent are described, including express consent, informed consent, and free choice. Costs of the consent process are examined in comparison with the benefits to research. Recommendations for simplifying the consent process are provided.

A study is presented on the issue of consent for research on biological samples and public support for one-time general consent. A search of studies on support of consent for such research from PubMed revealed that the majority of respondents support one-time general consent. Respondents came from a variety of ethnic and national groups, many different countries and were patients, research participants, family members, religious leaders and the public. The diverse nature of the sample suggests that one-time general consent would be an effect way of obtaining consent, especially is used universally. The author calls for a universal standard for obtaining consent.