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Argument From Nonmaleficence

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Argument from Nonmaleficence.
The ethical principle of Nonmaleficence in regard to medical practice is defined in generic terms as the physician will not cause undue harm to the patients in his care (Wilmot, 2003). In the case of Mrs. B we would need to determine if the cessation of life sustaining treatment MANH would cause her harm. In the case of a persistent vegetative state (PVS) as with Mrs. B the cessation of MANH would lead to harm in the form of death on the part of the patient. However the continuation of MANH would lead to the possibility of recovery and thus decreased harm to the patient. Is it even possible to cause harm to a patient in a PVS? The medical definition of a PVS as described by the Multi-Society Task force on PVS

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