Final answer:
Nonmaleficence is a medical ethical principle that means healthcare providers should not cause harm to patients. It applies to both clinical practice and research with human subjects, emphasizing the need to minimize and justify potential harms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of nonmaleficence is a core value in medical ethics and healthcare professions. It states that healthcare providers should act in ways that do not cause harm to patients. In clinical settings, this means that any treatment or procedure that is carried out should minimize harm and not expose patients to unnecessary risks. Achieving nonmaleficence can sometimes be challenging, especially when treatments have potential side effects or when difficult decisions need to be made about the cost-benefit ratio of interventions.
Nonmaleficence extends beyond the clinic, as it is also an essential component of ethics in research involving human subjects. Here, it is crucial to design studies in ways that limit harm to participants, ensuring that any potential risks are well-justified by the potential benefits.
The harm principle, as stated by John Stuart Mill, is related to the idea of nonmaleficence in that it guides societies on legislating against actions that may harm others but permits self-regarding harms.