What ethical principle is most closely linked to the development of an informed consent form that reveals study risks and benefits?

The principle of respect for human dignity is fundamental in the context of informed consent, as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing individuals as autonomous agents capable of making their own decisions. Informed consent involves providing potential participants with comprehensive information about a study, which includes the risks and benefits, so they can make an educated and voluntary choice about their participation. This process respects their capacity to weigh the pros and cons and to make a decision that aligns with their own values and interests.

While other principles such as beneficence, justice, and confidentiality are important in the ethical framework of research, they play different roles. Beneficence relates to the obligation to maximize benefits and minimize harm to participants, while justice focuses on fairness in distribution and access to benefits and risks of research. Confidentiality emphasizes protecting participants' private information. Informed consent specifically ties back to respect for human dignity, as it acknowledges and supports the individual's right to self-determination regarding their involvement in research studies.