Which statement exemplifies the Belmont principle of beneficence in human subjects research?

Which statement exemplifies the Belmont principle of beneficence in human subjects research?

• A. Informed consent must be obtained
• B. Ensuring that risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits
• C. Privacy protections are maintained
• D. Participants are paid fairly

Answer: (B)

Beneficence means actively promoting participants’ welfare by maximizing potential benefits and minimizing possible harms. The statement about ensuring that risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits captures this balance: it requires weighing what participants might gain from the research against the risks they are asked to bear, and designing the study to tilt toward net benefit. In practice, this involves careful risk mitigation, sound study design, and ongoing monitoring to ensure harms don’t outweigh benefits. The other ideas relate to different Belmont principles. Obtaining informed consent reflects respect for persons and autonomy; protecting privacy concerns confidentiality and participant welfare; and paying participants fairly ties to justice and fair treatment in research. Each is essential, but they embody other moral obligations beyond beneficence.

Beneficence means actively promoting participants’ welfare by maximizing potential benefits and minimizing possible harms. The statement about ensuring that risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits captures this balance: it requires weighing what participants might gain from the research against the risks they are asked to bear, and designing the study to tilt toward net benefit. In practice, this involves careful risk mitigation, sound study design, and ongoing monitoring to ensure harms don’t outweigh benefits.

The other ideas relate to different Belmont principles. Obtaining informed consent reflects respect for persons and autonomy; protecting privacy concerns confidentiality and participant welfare; and paying participants fairly ties to justice and fair treatment in research. Each is essential, but they embody other moral obligations beyond beneficence.