Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with distributing research burdens and benefits fairly?

Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with distributing research burdens and benefits fairly?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Justice
• C. Informed Consent
• D. Respect for Persons

Answer: (B)

Distributive fairness in research ethics means making sure the burdens and benefits of research are shared equitably across groups. That focus is captured by justice, the principle that guides who should bear risks and who should receive benefits from research. Beneficence emphasizes doing good and preventing harm but doesn’t specify how those burdens and benefits should be distributed among people. Informed consent and respect for persons address autonomy, voluntary participation, and protection of individuals, not the distribution itself. An example is avoiding studies that put one group at risk while preserving benefits for another; justice requires fair subject selection and fair access to outcomes. Therefore, justice is the principle that primarily concerns distributing research burdens and benefits fairly.

Distributive fairness in research ethics means making sure the burdens and benefits of research are shared equitably across groups. That focus is captured by justice, the principle that guides who should bear risks and who should receive benefits from research. Beneficence emphasizes doing good and preventing harm but doesn’t specify how those burdens and benefits should be distributed among people. Informed consent and respect for persons address autonomy, voluntary participation, and protection of individuals, not the distribution itself. An example is avoiding studies that put one group at risk while preserving benefits for another; justice requires fair subject selection and fair access to outcomes. Therefore, justice is the principle that primarily concerns distributing research burdens and benefits fairly.