National Research Act

The National Research Act, enacted in 1974, is a U.S. law that established protections for human research participants. It created the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, which developed ethical guidelines known as the Belmont Report. These standards emphasize respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, ensuring research is conducted ethically. The Act also led to the development of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), which review and approve research studies involving people. Overall, it aims to safeguard individuals participating in research while promoting responsible scientific investigation.