What are the four principles of biomedical ethics?

The four principles of biomedical ethics are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These principles serve as foundational guidelines to navigate ethical dilemmas in medical practice and research.

Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make informed choices about their own healthcare, acknowledging and respecting their personal values and preferences. This principle underscores the importance of informed consent, ensuring that patients are empowered to make decisions regarding their treatment.

Beneficence involves the obligation of healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting well-being and taking proactive steps to improve health outcomes. It emphasizes a commitment to provide care that is beneficial and supportive.

Nonmaleficence is closely related to beneficence and establishes the ethical duty to avoid causing harm. This principle ensures that healthcare professionals carefully consider the potential risks and harms associated with any intervention or treatment before proceeding.

Justice refers to the fair distribution of healthcare resources and the equitable treatment of patients. This principle calls for addressing disparities in access to care and ensuring that individuals receive treatment based on their needs rather than factors such as socioeconomic status or ethnicity.

While the other options contain important values and ethical considerations within the broader context of healthcare, they do not represent the widely recognized four principles of biomedical ethics that