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Nonmaleficence is a core ethical principle in medicine and healthcare that emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients. Derived from the Latin phrase "primum non nocere," meaning "first, do no harm," this principle guides practitioners to prioritize patient safety and prevent injury or suffering during medical interventions and decision-making.

In clinical practice, nonmaleficence involves careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits of treatments, procedures, and medications. Healthcare providers are expected to act in ways that minimize harm, whether it involves preventing physical injury, psychological trauma, or other adverse effects. This principle often overlaps with beneficence, which encourages actions that promote patient well-being, but nonmaleficence specifically underscores the importance of avoiding harm.

The concept also plays a significant role in public health policies, research ethics, and bioethics, where it serves as a foundational guideline for assessing the morality of actions and policies involving human subjects or populations. For example, in research ethics, nonmaleficence mandates that risks to participants are minimized, and any potential harms are justified by the anticipated benefits.

While nonmaleficence is widely regarded as a fundamental aspect of ethical healthcare, its application can be complex, requiring balancing harm prevention with other ethical considerations such as autonomy and justice. The principle encourages transparency, informed consent, and diligent risk management to uphold the safety and dignity of individuals.

Overall, nonmaleficence remains a vital principle that underscores the moral duty of healthcare providers and researchers to prevent harm and promote the safest possible practices in health-related activities.