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Purpose and ApplicabilityAll UW human subjects research is guided by the statement of ethical principles called the Belmont Report. This guidance is intended to present human subjects regulatory concepts within the context of the Belmont Ethical Principles. ContextIn an attempt to strengthen human research protections, the National Research Act was passed in 1974. As part of this Act, the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research was created and tasked with developing a code of human subjects research ethics. The Commission published the Belmont Report in 1976 which identified the following basic ethical principles:
The Belmont Ethical Principles provided the foundation for the Common Rule (45 CFR 46) human subjects research regulations. This guidance page describes regulatory concepts, such as consent, within the context of these ethical principles. Additional content will be added over time. Consent and BelmontThe requirements for Respect for Persons are satisfied when subjects are provided with a meaningful consent process in which they are provided with all relevant information about a study that a reasonable person would need and that they fully comprehend the information they are provided. This helps to ensure that they are able to make a voluntary decision about whether or not to participate. The requirements for Beneficence are met when the anticipated risks and benefits of research are disclosed to prospective subjects as part of the consent process and in the consent form (if there is a form). The principle of Justice is most relevant to consent in the context of equitable selection of subjects. It is important to consider whether the subject populations(s) who bear the risks of research might also stand to benefit from it and, conversely, whether those populations most likely to benefit from the research are also being asked to share in the risks. The Belmont Principles can conflict with each other with respect to research consent. Considerations of Beneficence must be balanced against an obligation to allow for subject autonomy when subjects have consent capacity (Respect for Persons) and promoting equitable representation in research (Justice). The IRB and researchers will need to consider the particulars of each study and subject population to identify the appropriate balance between the principles. Example: Children participating in research do not provide consent on their own behalf. Rather, a parent or guardian provides their permission and the child, when they have the capacity, provides assent. The Belmont Principles may conflict with each other when the child does not want to enroll in the study but their parent/guardian wants them to be enrolled. In general, a child’s dissent should be respected (Respect for Persons) and every effort should be made to come to a consensus between the child and their parent/guardian. However, there are some circumstances involving children where the regulations favor Beneficence and Justice over Respect for Persons:
Related MaterialsGUIDANCE Consent Regulatory References
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Key words: Ethical principles What are the 3 principles of the Belmont Report?Three basic principles, among those generally accepted in our cultural tradition, are particularly relevant to the ethics of research involving human subjects: the principles of respect of persons, beneficence and justice.
Which principle of the Belmont Report is used when the burdens and benefits of research should be fairly distributed among individuals groups societies etc?The principle of justice addresses the distribution of the burdens and benefits of research. That is, it should not be the case that one group in society bears the costs of research while another group reaps its benefits. Issues of justice arise most strongly around questions about the selection of participants.
What is the principle of justice in the Belmont Report?Justice: This principle advocates fair treatment for all and a fair distribution of the risks and benefits of the research. It forbids exploitation of vulnerable people (for instance, economically disadvantaged or those with limited cognitive capacity) or those who are easily manipulated as a result of their situation.
What are the four Belmont principles?Just as the Belmont Report details the principles of beneficence, respect for persons, and justice, the APA details them further and expands the three initial guidelines into five: (1) beneficence, (2) respect for persons, (3) justice, with the addition of (4) fidelity and responsibility, as well as (5) integrity.
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