Which group is afforded additional protections under federal regulations in research?

The group that is afforded additional protections under federal regulations in research is children. This is outlined in the federal regulations known as the Common Rule, which sets forth specific provisions to ensure that research involving children is conducted ethically and with a heightened level of oversight.

Children are considered a vulnerable population because they are not yet capable of providing informed consent in the same way that adults can. Therefore, the regulations require that researchers obtain consent from parents or guardians, as well as assent from the children themselves when appropriate. This dual requirement aims to protect children's rights and welfare in research settings, recognizing their developmental stage and potential limitations in understanding the implications of participation in studies.

The significance of these protections is underscored by the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, which guide research involving human subjects and ensure that particularly vulnerable groups, like children, are not exploited and that their rights are safeguarded in research initiatives.