Informed Consent for Publication

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Abstract
Two articles1,2in the Controversies section of this issue of THE JOURNAL explore the important issue of obtaining informed consent for publication when a scientific article contains identifying information about an individual. See also pp 624 and 628. Dr Snider,1associate director for science at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), argues that the requirement for consent as outlined in the statement, "Protection of Patients' Rights to Privacy," from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors3may create difficulties, especially for researchers charged with safeguarding the public health. Snider expresses concern regarding the interpretation and application of the ICMJE statement by medical journals, questions the logistics of the consent process and the appropriateness of removing data from articles, and suggests that there may be circumstances in which the requirement for informed consent for publication of articles with identifying information should be waived. From his public