What does the ethical principle of beneficence require?

The ethical principle of beneficence is a foundational concept in research ethics that emphasizes the obligation to maximize potential benefits while minimizing possible harm to participants. This principle reflects a commitment to promoting the welfare of research subjects by ensuring that their well-being is prioritized in any research study or clinical trial.

Choosing to do no harm involves taking precautions to protect participants from any negative outcomes that could arise during the research process. At the same time, actively seeking to maximize potential benefits encourages researchers to design studies that contribute positively to the knowledge base and ultimately lead to advancements in health, science, or social understanding.

The other options represent alternatives that do not align with the principle of beneficence. For example, maximizing risks or harms contradicts the core aim of protecting participants. Similarly, minimizing benefits does not uphold the commitment to ensure positive outcomes for research subjects. Ensuring equal opportunity for subjects, while an important ethical consideration, does not specifically capture the essence of beneficence, which focuses more directly on the balance of harm and benefit rather than equitable treatment in participation.