ikkeskadelighet

Ikkeskadelighet, often translated as non-maleficence, is a fundamental ethical principle that obligates individuals and institutions to avoid causing harm. This principle is widely recognized across various fields, including medicine, research, and public policy. In healthcare, it is often considered one of the four primary principles of biomedical ethics, alongside beneficence, autonomy, and justice.

The core tenet of ikkeskadelighet is to do no harm. This means actively taking steps to prevent foreseeable injury or suffering to others. It is a proactive duty, not merely a passive avoidance of wrongdoing. For healthcare professionals, this translates into making decisions and taking actions that prioritize patient safety and well-being, such as avoiding unnecessary procedures or administering treatments with known risks only when the potential benefits outweigh those risks.

In research, ikkeskadelighet requires researchers to design studies in a way that minimizes potential harm to participants, both physically and psychologically. This involves careful consideration of risks, obtaining informed consent, and implementing appropriate safeguards. Similarly, in broader societal contexts, the principle informs regulations and policies aimed at protecting the public from dangerous products, environmental hazards, and other potential sources of harm. The application of ikkeskadelighet involves a constant balancing act, as many actions carry some degree of risk, and the ethical challenge lies in determining acceptable levels of risk and ensuring that efforts to prevent harm are proportionate and effective.