What concept allows for an unintended harmful effect of a treatment, as long as the harm is not intended?

The rule of double effect is a significant ethical concept in medical ethics that addresses situations where a treatment or action may have both good and bad effects. This principle holds that it is permissible to carry out an action that has a harmful side effect, as long as the harm is not the intended outcome and the action itself is morally good or neutral.

For example, in palliative care, a physician might administer pain relief medication that has the potential side effect of hastening death. According to the rule of double effect, if the physician's intention is solely to alleviate suffering, and not to cause death, the action can be deemed ethically justifiable, despite the unintended consequence.

This principle is particularly important in discussions about end-of-life care and interventions where balancing benefits and risks is a critical ethical consideration. By allowing for this nuanced understanding, the rule of double effect acknowledges the complexities inherent in medical decision-making and respects the intentions behind treatments.