How does the principle of Justice influence participant selection under TCPS 2?

• A. Prioritize recruiting from more privileged populations to expedite research.
• B. Ensure fair and equitable distribution of burdens and benefits, avoiding exploitation of vulnerable groups.
• C. Exclude vulnerable groups from all research.
• D. Maximize recruitment from easily accessible groups regardless of burdens.

Answer: (B)

Justice in TCPS 2 means fairness in who bears the risks of research and who benefits from it. When selecting participants, this translates to distributing burdens and benefits equitably and avoiding exploitation of vulnerable groups. Practically, it means not prioritizing privileged populations just because they’re easy to recruit, and not excluding vulnerable groups without a solid justification. It also means designing inclusion criteria that allow fair access to potential benefits while safeguarding those at greater risk. In short, participant selection should be just and inclusive, aiming to distribute risks and benefits fairly across groups.