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> -----Original Message----- > I received a urine sample from a GP with the following comment: > > "Boy aged 14. Mum wants to have his urine screened for drugs > because she thinks he is on cannabis." > > Is it ethical to do this test I do not believe this would raise any significant ethical concerns in the U.S. Parents may consent for their minor children for most any medical procedure, including research studies (although, in some cases, the child's assent is obtained). Most THC immunoassays have a very low false-positive rate, but I might remind the GP that confirmation of a positive result is advisable. I also might tell him that a negative test does not rule out marijuana use, either--the mother should be told that the test will, under most circumstances, only detect recent use. Roger Roger L. Bertholf, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Pathology Director of Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/