Medical Ethics - Past and Present

Abstract

Summary: Medical ethics is crucial to the practice of medicine as an honourable profession. In this article it is presented at two levels; the ideological, which is not for all to come upto and has in fact scared off many of our younger people from the profession, yet it remains a necessary inspiration for higher spiritual goals; the practical, middle of the road level is for all to strictly observe at all times. It is brought out herein that the Hippocratic Oath as such is now archaic, that contrary to popular belief, it has seldom been actually administered. Yet its spirit which reflects the profundity of human values is still alive or should be. Medicine is international and hence its ethical values are best presented in terms of a common moral language without incursion into religion except where necessary.