What is the Origin of Non-Maleficence Principle?

The Non-Maleficence Principle, often expressed by the Latin phrase primum non nocere, meaning "first, do no harm," is historically attributed to the Hippocratic tradition of medicine. Its formal inclusion in modern medical ethics provides a moral framework for evaluating the safety profile of all clinical interventions, demanding that the potential for harm never outweighs the potential for benefit.

What is the Mechanism of Non-Maleficence Principle?

The principle operates by imposing a duty of care on the clinician, requiring them to utilize their knowledge to identify and mitigate foreseeable risks. In hormonal health, this mechanism translates to careful patient selection, meticulous dosing to avoid supraphysiological levels, thorough monitoring for side effects, and the use of the safest, evidence-based formulations. It compels the practitioner to avoid prescribing medications with an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio for a given patient's physiological state.

Non-Maleficence Principle ∞ Area

Non-Maleficence Principle

Meaning

A foundational tenet of bioethics and medical practice that mandates a clinician must act in a way that prevents harm to the patient, translating directly to the obligation to “do no harm.” This principle requires a rigorous assessment of the potential risks associated with any intervention, particularly hormonal therapies, ensuring that the treatment plan minimizes adverse effects and avoids reckless or unjustified medical actions. It is a critical ethical compass in the delicate field of endocrine manipulation.