Final answer:
The ethical principle of nonmaleficence requires healthcare professionals and researchers to avoid causing harm to patients or participants. It obligates the consideration of risks and undertaking only necessary procedures or treatments that are in the patient's best interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of nonmaleficence is a foundational concept in medical ethics that dictates healthcare professionals should act in ways that do not cause harm to patients. This principle holds that it is essential to consider potential harms and undertake only those that are necessary as part of effective treatment. It is particularly relevant when physicians administer medical procedures, treatments, or tests that may carry risks to the patient. The goal is to avoid unnecessary suffering and to safeguard the well-being of patients under all circumstances.
In research settings involving human subjects, the principle of nonmaleficence extends to the design and implementation of trials, ensuring that harm to participants is minimized. This is part of a broader set of ethical principles in healthcare that also includes autonomy, beneficence, and justice—each contributing to the responsible and moral practice of medicine and research.
The principle of nonmaleficence guides clinical practice and research trials, ensuring that any potential risks or harm are outweighed by the benefits of a procedure or treatment and that patients or subjects are not subjected to unnecessary harm.