Which of the following is an ethical principle for protecting human research subjects?

Beneficence is an ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to maximize benefits and minimize harm to research subjects. It is grounded in the idea that researchers must act in the best interest of participants, ensuring that any potential risks are outweighed by the anticipated benefits of the research. This principle requires researchers to carefully consider the potential impact of their studies on participants and to implement appropriate measures to safeguard their well-being.

In the context of human subjects research, beneficence is fundamental as it guides researchers in making ethical decisions about study design, including how to protect participants from physical, psychological, and emotional harm while also promoting their welfare.

Autonomy, justice, and confidentiality are important ethical considerations as well, but they serve different roles in the context of research ethics. Autonomy focuses on the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their participation, justice addresses fairness in the distribution of research benefits and burdens, and confidentiality pertains to the protection of participants' private information. Each of these principles is vital to ethical research conduct, but beneficence specifically relates to the responsibility researchers have to ensure the safety and well-being of their participants.