Glossary Term

Belmont Report

The 1979 report that articulated the three core ethical principles for human-subjects research: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

Issued by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, the Belmont Report is the philosophical foundation for U.S. human-subjects regulations.

The three principles

**Respect for persons**: individuals as autonomous agents; extra protection for those with diminished autonomy
**Beneficence**: maximize benefits, minimize harms
**Justice**: fair distribution of research burdens and benefits

These principles map to informed consent, risk/benefit analysis, and fair subject selection.

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