INTERNATIONAL CODE OF MEDICAL ETHICS

(Adopted by the third General Assembly of The World Medical Association at London, England, October 1949)

Duties of Doctors in General

A DOCTOR MUST always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

A DOCTOR MUST NOT allow himself to be influenced merely by motives of profit.

THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES are deemed unethical:

1. Any self advertisement except such as expressly authorized by the national code of medical ethics.
2. Taking part in any plan of medical care in which the doctors does not have professional independence.
3. To receive any money in connection with services rendered to a patient other than the acceptance of a proper professional fee, or to pay any money in the same circumstances without the knowledge of the patient.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a doctor permitted to do any thing that would weaken the physical or mental resistance of a human being the physical or mental resistance of a human being, except from strictly therapeutic or prophylactic indications imposed in the interest of the patient.

A DOCTOR IS ADVISED to use great caution in publishing discoveries. The same applies to methods of treatment whose value is not recognised by the profession.

WHEN A DOCTOR IS CALLED UPON to give evidence or a certificate he should only state that which he can verify.

Duties of Doctors to the Sick

A DOCTOR MUST always bear in mind the importance of preserving human life from the time of conception until death.

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 OWES to his patient absolute secrecy on all which has been confided to him or which he knows because of the confidence entrusted to him.

A DOCTOR MUST GIVE the necessary treatment in emergency, unless he is assured that it can and will be given by others.

Duties of Doctors to Each Other

A DOCTOR OUGHT to behave to his colleagues 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.