What principle emphasizes doing no harm in ethical decision-making?

The principle that emphasizes doing no harm in ethical decision-making is nonmaleficence. This principle is a foundational concept in healthcare ethics, highlighting the importance of avoiding actions that could cause harm to patients. Nonmaleficence is rooted in the Hippocratic Oath, which encourages practitioners to refrain from causing injury or suffering to their patients.

By adhering to nonmaleficence, healthcare professionals are encouraged to carefully consider the potential consequences of their actions and to prioritize patient safety above all else. This principle aligns closely with the moral obligation to respect the well-being of individuals, ensuring that interventions are not just effective but also minimize risk to the patient.

While respect, beneficence (which focuses on doing good), and the double effect principle (which addresses situations where a single action has both a good and a harmful effect) are important in ethical decision-making, it is nonmaleficence that specifically calls for the avoidance of harm, making it the most relevant in this context.