138.—(1) This section applies where a person who is 16 or over (“P”)—
(a)consented to take part in a research project begun before the coming into operation of section 132; and
(b)before the conclusion of the project, loses capacity to consent to continue to take part in it.
(2) Regulations may provide that, despite P’s loss of capacity, research of a prescribed kind may be carried out on, or in relation to, P if—
(a)the project satisfies prescribed requirements;
(b)any information or material relating to P which is used in the research is of a prescribed description and was obtained before P’s loss of capacity; and
(c)the person conducting the project takes in relation to P such steps as may be prescribed for the purpose of protecting P.
(3) The regulations may in particular—
(a)make provision about when, for the purposes of the regulations, a project is to be treated as having begun;
(b)include provision similar to any made by sections 134 to 137.