Overt communication or covert rhetoric: A study of American medical informed consent forms

Abstract

Informed consent forms are a sine qua non in today’s biomedical research. This article explores the rhetoric of ten informed consent forms approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and an American mid-western university, and how researchers addressed bioethical concerns. Results show that the forms contain a strong apodictic logic congruent with the values enshrined in the canonical codes. Researchers, however, took precautions to distance themselves from the process of consent lest they be accused of influencing subjects. The report signals the need for vigorous technical communication research