Human Subjects Research Protection
The Institutional Research Offices support all human subjects research protections. The Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) at the U.S. Air Force Academy protects the rights and welfare of human subjects recruited to participate in research at USAFA. The three basic ethical principles outlined in “The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research” govern the conduct of human research activities approved at USAFA. These three principles, as explained in The Belmont Report, are:
Respect for persons
Respect for persons incorporates at least two ethical convictions: first, that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and second, that persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection. The principle of respect for persons thus divides into two separate moral requirements: the requirement to acknowledge autonomy and the requirement to protect those with diminished autonomy.
Beneficence
Persons are treated in an ethical manner not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their well-being. Such treatment falls under the principle of beneficence. The term “beneficence” is often understood to cover acts of kindness or charity that go beyond strict obligation. In this document, beneficence is understood in a stronger sense, as an obligation. Two general rules have been formulated as complementary expressions of beneficent actions in this sense: (1) do not harm and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms.
Justice
Who ought to receive the benefits of research and bear its burdens? This is a question of justice in the sense of “fairness in distribution” or “what is deserved.” An injustice occurs when some benefit to which a person is entitled is denied without good reason or when some burden is imposed unduly. Another way of conceiving the principle of justice is that equals ought to be treated equally. However, this statement requires explication. Who is equal and who is unequal? What considerations justify departure from equal distribution? Almost all commentators allow that distinctions based on experience, age, deprivation, competence, merit and position do sometimes constitute criteria justifying differential treatment for certain purposes. It is necessary, then, to explain in what respects people should be treated equally. There are several widely accepted formulations of just ways to distribute burdens and benefits. Each formulation mentions some relevant property on the basis of which burdens and benefits should be distributed. These formulations are (1) to each person an equal share, (2) to each person according to individual need, (3) to each person according to individual effort, (4) to each person according to societal contribution, and (5) to each person according to merit.
Learn more about the U.S. Air Force Academy Human Research Protections Program
For more information regarding Human Subjects Research Protections or the U.S. Air Force Academy IRB, please contact usafa.hrpp@afacademy.af.edu.