Which ethical principle emphasizes that participants should be treated as autonomous individuals?

The ethical principle that emphasizes treating participants as autonomous individuals is respect for persons. This principle is crucial in research ethics and healthcare because it acknowledges the inherent value and agency of each individual. By respecting their autonomy, researchers and healthcare providers must ensure that participants are fully informed about the nature, risks, and benefits of their involvement, allowing them to make voluntary decisions regarding their participation without coercion. This principle underlies informed consent processes and is fundamental in maintaining the dignity and rights of participants in both research and clinical settings.

In contrast, beneficence focuses on promoting the well-being of individuals and minimizing harm, while justice centers around fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens. The Common Rule refers to federal regulations that govern research involving human subjects but does not specifically articulate the principle of autonomy. Each of these concepts plays a critical role in ethical considerations, but respect for persons singularly highlights the importance of individual autonomy.