an ethical principle that requires that we do no harm.
A fundamental principle, embodied in the Hippocratic Oath's injunction to primum non nocere ("above all, do no harm"). It has special relevance in medicine because many treatments involve the risk of significant harm and because medical research does not necessarily include the maximization of benefit to any given subject. [See Case Studies related to Nonmaleficence
The duty to cause no harm. Back to the top of the page
The state of not doing harm or evil; see also beneficence.
The avoidance of doing harm.
"First do no harm" is the first law in the practice of medicine.
Generally associated with the maxim "primum non nocere" (above all, do no harm). In ethics, it is the principle that one has a duty not to inflict evil, harm, or risk of harm.
One of five principles of ethical behavior that guide the construction and development of the CRCC Code of Ethics. It refers to that aspect of the “spirit of caring and respect†that requires rehabilitation counselors to always “do no harm to others†(preamble of the CRC Code of Ethics)
The term nonmaleficence derives from the ancient maxim primum non nocere, which, translated from the Latin, means first, do no harm. Most medical practices have a tradition of utilitarian approaches, meaning that the greatest good should be accomplished through any public health action. Nonmaleficence is distinquished from beneficence by doing no harm -- it does not imply a act toward the good.
