Belmont Report
A statement of basic ethical principles governing research involving human subjects issued by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects in 1978. (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.html)

Beneficence
An ethical principle discussed in the Belmont Report that entails an obligation to protect persons from harm. The principle of beneficence can be expressed in two general rules: (1) do not harm; and (2) protect from harm by maximizing possible benefits and minimizing possible risks of harm.

Benefit
A valued or desired outcome; an advantage.

Biologic
Any therapeutic serum, toxin, anti-toxin, or analogous microbial product applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of diseases or injuries.

Blind Study Designs
See: Masked Study Designs; Double-Masked Design; and Single-Masked Design.