Which ethical principle mandates that individuals with diminished autonomy must be provided additional protections?

The principle of respect for persons emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring individual autonomy while also providing additional protections for those who may have diminished autonomy. This principle is rooted in the ethical obligation to treat individuals with dignity and respect, acknowledging their ability to make informed choices.

In healthcare and research contexts, individuals such as children, those with cognitive impairments, or individuals in vulnerable situations may not be able to fully exercise their autonomy. Consequently, there is a necessitated approach to ensure these individuals are protected from potential harm or exploitation. This often translates into obtaining surrogate consent, implementing additional safeguards in research protocols, and ensuring that the rights and welfare of these individuals are prioritized.

Other ethical principles, while also significant, focus on different aspects. For example, the principle of justice pertains to fairness and equality in the distribution of benefits and burdens, while non-maleficence involves the commitment to do no harm. Beneficence, on the other hand, revolves around the obligation to contribute to the welfare of others. While these principles are crucial to ethical practice, respect for persons is specifically directed at safeguarding those who cannot fully protect their own interests, situating it as the right answer in this context.