What are the three ethical principles established by the Belmont Report?

The three ethical principles established by the Belmont Report are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. These principles serve as a foundational framework for ethical research involving human subjects.

Respect for persons acknowledges the autonomy of individuals, emphasizing the importance of obtaining informed consent and protecting those with diminished autonomy. This principle recognizes the need to treat individuals as capable of making informed decisions about their participation in research.

Beneficence requires researchers to maximize potential benefits while minimizing harm to participants. This principle encourages ethical responsibilities to ensure that research has a favorable risk-benefit ratio and contributes to the well-being of the subjects involved.

Justice pertains to the fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research. This principle emphasizes that no group of people should bear an undue share of the risks of research while others receive its benefits, thus advocating for equitable selection and treatment of participants.

Together, these principles provide a comprehensive ethical guide that safeguards human subjects' rights and welfare in research settings.