What does beneficence mean?

• A. Autonomy and informed consent.
• B. Maximize benefits and minimize harm.
• C. Distribute risks equally among groups.
• D. Ensure rapid enrollment.

Answer: (B)

Beneficence means actively promoting welfare by maximizing benefits and minimizing harms in research. In practice, this drives how a study is designed, conducted, and monitored so that possible good outcomes are pursued while risks, burdens, and harms to participants are kept as low as feasible. It requires a thoughtful risk-benefit assessment, rigorous scientific design, safety measures, and clear stopping rules if harms appear outweigh benefits. This principle focuses on doing the most good for participants and society, while protecting them from unnecessary harm. The other options align with different ethical ideas: autonomy relates to informed consent, justice to fair distribution of burdens and benefits, and rapid enrollment isn’t a principle of beneficence.