Under Belmont principles, researchers should minimize risks and maximize benefits. This statement best reflects which principle?

Under Belmont principles, researchers should minimize risks and maximize benefits. This statement best reflects which principle?

• A. Respect for persons
• B. Beneficence
• C. Justice
• D. Privacy

Answer: (B)

Beneficence is the Belmont principle that guides researchers to protect participants by maximizing benefits and minimizing harms. The statement captures this duty to seek the best possible outcomes for participants while reducing potential risks, carefully weighing the risks and benefits in study design, ongoing monitoring, and safeguards. It’s distinct from Respect for Persons, which emphasizes autonomy and informed consent; Justice, which focuses on fair distribution of burdens and benefits; and privacy, which concerns protecting data and confidentiality. In practice, applying Beneficence means choosing procedures with the least risk that still address the research question, providing appropriate monitoring and support, and stopping a study if risks outweigh potential benefits.

Beneficence is the Belmont principle that guides researchers to protect participants by maximizing benefits and minimizing harms. The statement captures this duty to seek the best possible outcomes for participants while reducing potential risks, carefully weighing the risks and benefits in study design, ongoing monitoring, and safeguards. It’s distinct from Respect for Persons, which emphasizes autonomy and informed consent; Justice, which focuses on fair distribution of burdens and benefits; and privacy, which concerns protecting data and confidentiality. In practice, applying Beneficence means choosing procedures with the least risk that still address the research question, providing appropriate monitoring and support, and stopping a study if risks outweigh potential benefits.