The hospital’s decision to discontinue life support is justified by the principles and theories of beneficence, paternalism, and nonmaleficence. The physician was only acting upon benevolent motives. He knew that the life-sustaining treatment wouldn’t have any effect for this baby. The principle of beneficence requires for a physician to choose what is the best possible medical care for his patients by considering whether the treatment’s effects causes more benefit than harm. The life-sustaining treatment had no effect and was causing more pain for the baby. Therefore, the physician was only doing what was best for the child. A physician is obligated to deny or end a treatment that has no medical relevance for the patient. Therefore, through
