Scientific Nonmaleficence

Nonmaleficence is an ethical principle in science and healthcare that states that no person should be intentionally caused harm. This principle is foundational in many medical codes of ethics and professional guidelines and is central to informed consent and medical decision-making. Nonmaleficence applies not only to individual patients, but also applies to the potential consequences of scientific research and development, and is used to ensure that risks posed to participants in research are minimized and are ethically acceptable. By adhering to the principle of nonmaleficence, scientists and medical professionals ensure that their work is conducted in the best interests of patients, research participants, and the broader public.