Free and Informed Consent

Free and informed consent refers to the process of ensuring that individuals understand and agree to something voluntarily, without any pressure or coercion. This concept is often applied in healthcare, research, and legal situations. It means that a person is fully aware of the relevant information, risks, and benefits associated with a decision before agreeing to it. For consent to be valid, individuals must have the capacity to make decisions and must not be influenced by external factors. Essentially, it respects personal autonomy and the right to make informed choices about one’s own life.