Which document outlines the ethical principles for research involving human subjects?

The Belmont Report is called upon to outline the foundational ethical principles guiding research involving human subjects. It was created in response to historical abuses in research and aims to promote ethical practices grounded in three main principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

Respect for persons acknowledges the autonomy of individuals and the need for informed consent, ensuring that participants are adequately informed about the research and can make voluntary decisions about their involvement. Beneficence emphasizes the obligation to minimize harm and maximize potential benefits to participants, while justice addresses the fair distribution of the burdens and benefits of research, ensuring that no particular group is unduly burdened or excluded from potential research benefits.

While the Nuremberg Code and the Helsinki Declaration provide crucial ethical frameworks for research ethics, and the Declaration of Geneva establishes ethical standards within the medical profession, the Belmont Report specifically consolidates these principles and makes them accessible for research involving human participants, making it particularly significant in the context of federal regulations in the United States.