International Code of Medical Ethics 1949

INTERNATIONAL CODE
OF
M E DIe ALE T H I C S
Adopted by the Third General Assembly of THE WORLO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
London, England, October 1949
•
Duties of Doctors in General
A DOCTOR MUST always maintain the
highest standards of professional
conduct•
A DOCTOR MUST practice his profes-
sion uninfluenced by motives of
profit.
THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES are deemed
unethical;
a) Any self advertisement except
such as is expressly authorized
by the national code of med-
ical ethics.
b) Collaborate in any form of med-
ical service in which the doc-
tor does not have professional
independence.
c) Receiving any money in connec-
tion with services rendered to
a patient other than a proper
professional fee, even with
the knowledge of the patient.
ANY ACT, OR ADVICE which could weaken
physical or mental resistanco of a
human being may be used only on his
interest.
A DOCTOR IS ADVISED to use great cau-
tion in divulging discoveries or
new techniques or treatment.
A DOCTOR SHOULD certify or testify
only to that which he has per-
sonally verified.
Duties of Doctors to the Sick
A DOCTOR MUST ALWAYS bear in mind the
Obligation of preserving human life.
A DOCTOR OWES to his patient complete
loyalty and all the resources of his
science. Whenever an examination or
treatment is beyond his capacity he
should summon another doctor who has
the necessary ability.
A DOCTOR SHALL preserve absolute secrecy
on all he knows about his p&tient be-
cause of the confidence entru$ted in
him.
A DOCTOR HUST give emergency care as a
humanitarian duty unless he is assured
that others are willing and able to
give such care.
Duties of Doctors to Each Other
A DOCTOR OUGHT to behave to his col-
leagues as he would have them behave
to him.
A DOCTOR MUST NOT entice patients from
his colleagues.
A DOCTOR MUST OBSERVE the principles of
«The Declaration of Geneva» approved
by The World Medical Association.
——*——
DECLARATION OF GENEVA
Adopted by the General Assembly of The World Medical Association
at Geneva, Switzerland, September, 1948
•
AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A
MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:
I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE myself to consecrate
my life to the service of humanity.
I WILL GIVE to my teachers the re-
spect and gratitude which is their
due;
I WILL PRACTICE my profession with
conscience and dignity;
THE HEALTH OF HY PATIENT will be my
first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT the secrets which are
confided in me;
I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my
power, the honor and the noble
traditions of the medical profession;
MY COLLEP.GUES will be my brothers;
I WILL NOT PERHIT considerations of
religion, nationality, race, party
politics or social standing to inter-
vene between my duty and my patient;
I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for
human life from the time of concep-
tion; even under threat, I will not
use my medical knowledge contrary to
the laws of humanity.
I MAKE THESE PROMISSES solemnly, freely
and upon my honor.
Text as correlated with other official language texts – April 1956