What does "informed consent" ensure in clinical trials?

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in clinical trials that ensures participants are fully educated about the study they are considering joining. This process includes providing detailed information about the trial's objectives, procedures, potential risks and benefits, as well as alternative treatment options. The goal is to enable participants to make a knowledgeable decision regarding their participation.

Option B emphasizes the core principle of informed consent: it guarantees that individuals are well-informed before agreeing to take part in the study, allowing them to weigh the potential outcomes and implications. This step is crucial in protecting participants' autonomy and rights, ensuring they understand what they are consenting to.

While other options touch on important aspects of clinical trials, they do not encapsulate the primary purpose of informed consent. Financial compensation, access to study results, and the ability to withdraw from the trial are certainly important considerations and rights of participants in research, but they do not define the essence of what informed consent specifically aims to achieve.