What does non-maleficence mean in ethical terms?

• A. Duty to do no harm
• B. Duty to maximize benefits
• C. Respect for autonomy
• D. Justice

Answer: (A)

Non-maleficence is about avoiding harm. In veterinary care this means choosing actions that do not cause pain, injury, or unnecessary risk to the animal, and taking steps to minimize suffering—using proper analgesia and anesthetic techniques, sterile methods, careful monitoring, and selecting safer options when possible. It’s a reminder to weigh risks and benefits and to act to prevent harm, or reduce it if it cannot be completely avoided. Hence, the description “duty to do no harm” fits best. The other ideas describe different ethical duties: maximizing benefits aligns with beneficence, respecting autonomy concerns the owner's or patient’s decision-making right, and justice relates to fair treatment and resource distribution.