(a) Any patient who is the subject of a research program or an experimental procedure, as defined under the rules and regulations of the Hospital Licensing Act, shall have, at a minimum, the right to receive an explanation of the nature and possible consequences of such research or experiment before the research or experiment is conducted, and to consent to or reject it.
     (b) No physician may conduct any research program or experimental procedure on a patient without the prior informed consent of the patient or, if the patient is unable to consent, the patient’s guardian, spouse, parent, or authorized agent.
     (c) This Section shall not apply to any research program or medical experimental procedure for patients subject to a life-threatening emergency that is conducted in accordance with Part 50 of Title 21 of, and Part 46 of Title 45 of, the Code of Federal Regulations.