Policy
WMA's Policies on Ethical and Social Issues
The Handbook of WMA Policy is issued as a record of the World Medical Association’s stance on a variety of ethical and social issues. The issues are usually important factors in human health and are relevant to physicians worldwide. Some of the Declarations have needed revision in light of new knowledge or to improve the sometimes awkward wording that inevitably occurs when people of different tongues deliberate together. This dynamic process shows that the WMA is a constantly evolving, unique organization, ideal to act as a protector of patients’ best interests, and as advocates for the medical profession.
- WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants (revised)
- WMA Declaration of Kigali on the Ethical Use of Medical Technology (revised)
- WMA Declaration on Prevention and Reduction of Air Pollution to Improve Air Quality
- WMA Statement on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (revised)
- WMA Statement on Epidemics and Pandemics (revised)
- WMA Statement on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (revised)
- WMA Resolution on Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
- WMA Resolution on Organ Donation in Prisoners
- WMA Resolution on Plastics and Health
- WMA Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare in Israel and Gaza
Policies reaffirmed by the 226th Council Session, Seoul, April 2024 and the 227th Council Session, Helsinki, October 2024
- WMA Declaration of Hong Kong on the Abuse of Older People (with minor revision)
- WMA Guidelines on Promotional Mass Media Appearance by Physicians (with minor revision)
- WMA Statement on Adolescent Suicide (with minor revision)
- WMA Statement on Non-Discrimination in Professional Membership and Activities of Physicians (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution on the Revocation of WHO Guidelines on Opioid Use (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution in Support of an International Day of the Medical Profession
- WMA Resolution in support of the Turkish Medical Association (with minor revision)
Policy Handbook English-Version 2024 (printed in May 2024; 9,8 MB)