consentendo

Consentendo is a term used in theoretical discussions of consent ethics and law. It designates the ongoing process by which a person grants, reviews, and can withdraw consent for actions, data processing, or participation in activities. Unlike one-off consent, consentendo emphasizes iterated consent, continuous mutual awareness, and alignment of intentions over time.

Etymology and linguistic notes: The word derives from Latin consentire, with the gerundive-like form consentendo used to denote “by consenting” or “through consenting.” In English-language discourse it is treated as a theoretical or technical term rather than a standard legal category.

Usage and domains: In healthcare and biomedical research, consentendo arguments support re-consent or dynamic consent practices when new uses of data or procedures arise. In data governance and privacy, consentendo aligns with approaches that require ongoing permission and easy withdrawal. In interpersonal settings, it frames consent as a negotiated and reversible agreement rather than a single event.

Relation to established concepts: It relates to informed consent and dynamic consent; while not widely adopted as a formal term, consentendo complements existing frameworks by highlighting ongoing consent and relational aspects of agreements.

Criticism and limitations: Practically implementing consentendo can be challenging; it may increase administrative burden, require reliable communication channels, and raise questions about how to handle non-responses or withdrawal of consent. Critics also note potential ambiguity with existing terms.