What is the main purpose of the Belmont Report?

The main purpose of the Belmont Report is to protect subjects involved in clinical trials. This foundational document, created in response to ethical concerns in research practices, outlines ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects. Its core principles—respect for persons, beneficence, and justice—are designed to ensure that research is conducted ethically and that the rights and well-being of participants are safeguarded.

Respect for persons acknowledges the autonomy of individuals and requires that they enter research voluntarily with adequate information. Beneficence emphasizes maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants, while justice addresses the fair distribution of the research's burdens and benefits. By establishing these principles, the Belmont Report directly contributes to the protection of human subjects in research, ensuring that their participation is ethical and their welfare is prioritized.

While promoting informed consent is certainly a critical component of protecting subjects in research (and is addressed in the Belmont Report), the broader focus of the report encompasses various protective measures beyond just informed consent. The other options, such as reducing research costs or establishing regulatory guidelines, do not capture the primary focus of safeguarding research participants.