The International Journal of Molecular Medicine and Advance Sciences (IJMMAS) is committed to protecting the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of all research participants. Research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with internationally recognized ethical standards and applicable institutional, national, and international regulations.

IJMMAS follows the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the ethical guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are responsible for ensuring that informed consent has been obtained before conducting research involving human participants or publishing identifiable information.

Requirement for Informed Consent

Authors must obtain written informed consent from all participants, or from their legally authorized representatives where applicable, before enrolling individuals in a research study. Participants should receive clear information regarding:

• The purpose of the research.
• Study procedures and duration.
• Potential risks and benefits.
• Voluntary participation.
• The right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
• How their personal information and research data will be used.

The manuscript should clearly state that informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Protection of Privacy and Confidentiality

The personal data and confidential information of research participants, including information obtained through doctor–patient relationships, medical records, interviews, clinical examinations, laboratory investigations, or healthcare services, must be handled with the highest level of confidentiality, privacy, and professional discretion.

Authors must ensure that:

• Participants cannot be identified unless explicit written permission for publication has been obtained.
• Personal identifiers are removed or anonymized whenever possible.
• Confidential information is disclosed only when ethically and legally justified.
• Data protection requirements are respected throughout the research and publication process.

Publication of Identifiable Information

Photographs, videos, clinical images, case histories, genetic information, or any other material capable of identifying an individual should not be published unless:

• Explicit written consent for publication has been obtained from the participant or their legal representative.
• Publication is scientifically justified.
• Every reasonable effort has been made to protect the individual's privacy.

Editors may request copies of consent documentation for verification during the editorial process. Authors should retain these documents but should not upload them unless requested.

Research Involving Vulnerable Participants

Additional safeguards should be implemented for research involving children, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, prisoners, or other vulnerable populations. Consent should be obtained from legally authorized representatives whenever required by applicable regulations.

Editorial Assessment

The Editorial Office may request evidence of informed consent or additional ethical documentation whenever necessary. Failure to demonstrate appropriate consent or protection of participant confidentiality may result in rejection of the manuscript or appropriate post-publication action.

Policy Compliance

By submitting a manuscript to IJMMAS, authors confirm that informed consent has been obtained where required, participant confidentiality has been protected, and all research involving human participants has been conducted in accordance with the ethical recommendations of COPE, ICMJE, the Declaration of Helsinki, and all applicable legal and institutional requirements.