What are the Core Ethical Principles in Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is guided by several core ethical principles, including:
- Respect for Persons: This principle emphasizes the importance of treating individuals with dignity, obtaining informed consent, and respecting their autonomy. - Beneficence: Researchers should aim to maximize benefits and minimize harms to participants. - Justice: Fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research is essential, ensuring that no group is unduly burdened or excluded from potential benefits. - Confidentiality: Protecting the privacy of participants and the confidentiality of their data is paramount.
