The Belmont Report thus attempts to summarize the basic ethical principles identified by the Commission in the course of its deliberations in February 1976. The report itself does not make specific recommendations for administrative action, but rather its objective is to provide an analytical framework that will guide the resolution of ethical problems arising during research involving human subjects. The extent and nature of the information should be such that persons can decide whether they wish to participate in the furthering of knowledge. That is to say, consenting individuals are aware that the procedure is neither necessary for their care nor perhaps fully understood, and they understand clearly the range of the risks. The ability of a subject to understand is a function of intelligence, rationality, maturity and language and therefore it is necessary to adapt the presentation of the information to the subject's capacities.
Investigators are responsible for ascertaining that the subject has comprehended the information.
The agreement to participate in research is considered a valid consent, if and only if voluntarily given under conditions free of coercion and undue influence. Beneficence Do not harm Maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms Assessment of Risks and Benefits 3.