Ethical Principles for Research Involving Human Subjects Ethical Principles for Research Involving Human Subjects Research involving human subjects should be carried out with a profound sense of the sacredness of human will and existence, with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate, and with cognizance of federal and state regulations, University policy, and professional standards.
Research involving competent human subjects requires the person's voluntary and informed consent.
Special consideration and protection for subjects must be given in research involving persons who may lack full capacity to secure their own rights and interests, e.g. children, the elderly, the mentally challenged, the economically or educationally disadvantaged, and those who are in involuntary custody. No person can be placed at risk as a research subject unless the risks are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits of the research. The recruitment and selection of subjects must be reasonably related to the research and not impose inequitable risks and burdens on any segment of society.