Final answer:
The Declaration of Helsinki outlines ethical principles in medical research, emphasizing informed consent, IRB approval, and the balance of risks and benefits, while upholding autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central principles of medical research as contained in the Declaration of Helsinki prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of research participants. These principles necessitate informed consent, where participants are fully aware of the research's purpose, methods, risks, and benefits before agreeing to partake. Additionally, research ethics demand that risks to participants be minimized and balanced against the potential benefits, and any research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The Declaration espouses the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, ensuring that research is conducted with integrity and respect for human and animal subjects.