Scottish Government stance on Nuremberg code: FOI release

Information requested

What's the government stance on the nuremberg code?

Response

Please be advised that the Freedom of Informtion (Scotland) Act 2002 gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. We are not required to create new information to respond to a request, or give an opinion that is not already recorded. As I have interpreted your request as asking for an opinion, it falls outside the scope of the Act.

I can however add that there is no bespoke Scottish Government policy on the Nuremberg code. Rather, the principles of the code are embedded within “Good Clinical Practice” (GCP) which defines practice UK wide. GCP is a matter which is reserved to the UK and is overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. More detail can be found at Good clinical practice for clinical trials - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) In line with these requirements, in NHS Scotland research active staff are required to undertake GCP training before taking up their appointment and to take regular refresher training.

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.