What are the three core values outlined in the Belmont Report?

The Belmont Report outlines three core values that are fundamental to ethical research involving human subjects: respect, beneficence, and justice.

Respect emphasizes the importance of recognizing the autonomy of individuals and treating them with dignity. This principle mandates that researchers must obtain informed consent from participants, ensuring they understand the nature of the research and their rights within that context.

Beneficence refers to the obligation to maximize benefits and minimize harms. In research, this value supports the idea that study designs should aim to provide a favorable risk-benefit ratio, ensuring that the potential benefits to participants (and, potentially, to society) outweigh any risks involved in the study.

Justice relates to fairness in the distribution of the benefits and burdens of research. This principle requires that no particular group of individuals be unfairly burdened by research risks, while others may benefit, promoting equitable treatment and access to participation.

These three values serve as a foundation for ethical decision-making in human subjects research, guiding researchers and institutions in the protection of participants and the integrity of the research process.