Which principle is the basis for the practice of "informed consent" in the health care and research involving human subjects?

The principle of autonomy is fundamental to the practice of informed consent in healthcare and research involving human subjects. Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives and bodies. This principle asserts that patients or research participants should have the opportunity to make informed choices regarding their medical treatment or participation in research studies.

Informed consent is grounded in providing individuals with adequate information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives associated with a treatment or study, enabling them to understand and appreciate the implications of their choices. This process respects each individual's capacity to make decisions aligned with their personal values and beliefs.

While beneficence (promoting the well-being of individuals), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (fair distribution of benefits and burdens) are also important ethical principles in healthcare and research, they do not directly underpin the practice of informed consent the way autonomy does. Autonomy emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to retain control over their own decision-making, making it the foundational principle for informed consent.