Final answer:
The three major ethical principles discussed in the Belmont Report are Autonomy, Beneficence, and Justice. Autonomy emphasizes patient self-determination, Beneficence focuses on actions that benefit others, and Justice ensures the fair distribution of research benefits and burdens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three major ethical principles of the Belmont Report are Autonomy, Beneficence, and Justice. These principles guide ethical issues in relationships between physicians and patients or researchers and participants.
- Autonomy: This principle states that patients have the right to make decisions about their healthcare based on their values and preferences.
- Beneficence: This principle states that actions should be taken with the intent to do good and benefit others, which includes treating research participants fairly and considering their welfare.
- Justice: This principle addresses the fair distribution of benefits and burdens, ensuring that no group of people is unfairly burdened or excluded from the potential benefits of research.
In research settings involving human subjects, these principles ensure respect for individuals and groups and guide researchers to conduct studies with integrity and moral considerations.