How many core ethical principles are identified in the Belmont Report?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Answer: (B)

Three ethical principles are identified in the Belmont Report. Respect for persons recognizes individual autonomy and the need to protect those with diminished autonomy, which underpins informed consent and voluntary participation. Beneficence calls for maximizing potential benefits while minimizing possible harms, guiding careful risk–benefit assessments. Justice requires fair distribution of the burdens and benefits of research, ensuring that no group is exploited or unduly burdened. Because these three principles are explicitly stated, the correct count is three. In practice, these principles shape how research is reviewed and how consent processes are designed, informing safeguards used by IRBs and researchers.