Which principle concerns fair distribution of resources and burdens?

• A. Respect for Persons
• B. Justice
• C. Beneficence
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (B)

Justice is the principle that guides fair distribution of resources and burdens. In bioethics, it asks us to consider how benefits and harms are shared among people and groups, aiming for fairness, equity, and nondiscrimination. This matters in real-world situations like how scarce organs, vaccines, or experimental therapies are allocated, and how research risks and benefits are distributed across diverse populations. The goal is to treat similar cases similarly and to address disparities that lead to unequal access or outcomes.

Respect for Persons centers on autonomy and informed consent, ensuring individuals are treated with dignity and that their choices are respected. Beneficence focuses on doing good and promoting welfare for individuals. Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm to individuals. While these principles guide care and protect individuals, they don’t primarily address the fair, societal-level distribution of resources and burdens, which is the domain of justice.