What is the purpose of the Declaration of Helsinki?

The Declaration of Helsinki serves as an essential ethical guide for medical research involving human subjects. Developed by the World Medical Association, it outlines principles that prioritize the welfare, dignity, and rights of participants. This declaration emphasizes the need for informed consent, the necessity of weighing the potential benefits of research against risks to participants, and mandates that research protocols must be reviewed by independent committees to safeguard ethical standards.

The guiding role of the Declaration of Helsinki in research involving humans is crucial to ensuring that all human subjects are treated ethically. It aims to maintain a high standard for research and instill public trust in the medical research community. Other options focus on distinct aspects unrelated to the declaration's primary goal. For instance, while promoting medical research funding, developing new pharmaceuticals, and ensuring public access to healthcare are significant concerns in the health sector, they are not the specific focus of the Declaration of Helsinki.