That's cost/benefit analysis, not adherence to a maxim.
That is very different from "first, do no harm". That is a cost-benefit calculation that many of us are familiar with in our own professions.
"First, do no harm" just encodes status quo bias.
I think I understand what you mean. In med ethics you weigh: autonomy, justice, nonmaleficence (do no harm) and beneficence (do good). You're right, no harm is not blindly followed, but it is relevant to bring it up in this discussion.
Right, exactly.
I'm obviously biased but I think the same general principles should be disseminated widely to software engineering/programmers.