Which significant principle is highlighted in the Nuremberg Code?

The significant principle highlighted in the Nuremberg Code is voluntary consent. This foundational principle is critical in the context of medical research and experimentation, emphasizing that participants must willingly agree to participate without coercion or undue influence. The Nuremberg Code emerged in response to the unethical practices during World War II, where individuals were subjected to horrific medical experiments without their consent.

Voluntary consent ensures that individuals are fully informed about the nature of the research, the risks involved, and their right to refuse participation without penalty. This principle has had a lasting impact on ethical standards in research, as it protects the autonomy and dignity of participants, ensuring that their rights are respected throughout the study.

In comparison, while concepts like therapeutic consent, minimal risk, and the right to withdraw are relevant in the broader context of research ethics, they are not the central theme of the Nuremberg Code. The defining focus of the Code revolves around ensuring that consent is given freely and without coercion, which is fundamental for the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects.