An emancipated minor wishes to participate in research. Is parental permission required?

• A. Parental permission not required for emancipated minors.
• B. Parental permission always required.
• C. Court approval required for participation.
• D. Only for high-risk research is parental permission required.

Answer: (B)

Emancipation grants an individual legal capacity to make personal decisions about participation in research, just as an adult would. Because of that, parental permission isn’t needed for an emancipated minor to enroll in a study—the individual can consent for themselves, understanding the risks, benefits, and what participation involves. It’s still important to confirm the person’s emancipation status and comply with any specific local or institutional rules, but the core idea is that the emancipated person has the authority to decide about research participation without a parent’s signature.