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27 January 2005
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics (SCHB) is concerned that the ethical principle of informed consent may not be sufficiently emphasised in the Scottish Executive’s report on Sex Education in Scotland.
Dr. Calum MacKellar, the Director of Research of the SCHB stated, in this respect, that "many teenagers are having a sexual encounters without understanding what is really happening" adding that "it is important that young people are able to give their informed consent to a sexual relationship and understand all the different aspects and consequences that this may entail before beginning such a relationship."
Dr. MacKellar also stated that "it is difficult even for adults to understand all the complex emotional, social and physical aspects involved in sexual relationships. Because of this, informed consent to a relationship may mean that a young person should wait until he or she is mature enough to fully understand what is really taking place."
In this regard, the SCHB is of the opinion that the Scottish executive should take into account the ability of individual young people to make competent decisions about sexual relationships at different ages and stages of cognitive development. In addition, the Council would like to see the Scottish Executive encourage more parental involvement in Sexual and Relationships Education. It should also promote healthy and open communication between parents and children regarding sex and relationships.
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics has produced an 88-page report entitled Informing Choice: New Approaches and Ethics for Sex and Relationships Education in Scotland in February 2004 as a response to the Scottish executive’s consultation on the topic (see www.schb.org.uk (publications)).