Adopted by the General Assembly of the World Medical Association at Geneva in
1948 and amended by the 22d World Medical Assembly at Sydney in 1968, the
Declaration Of Geneva was one of the first and most important actions of the
Association. It is a declaration of physicians' dedication to the humanitarian
goals of medicine, a declaration that was especially important in view of the
medical crimes which had just been committed in Nazi Germany. The Declaration of
Geneva was intended to update the Oath of Hippocrates, which was no longer
suited to modern conditions.
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 respect
and gratitude which is their due;
I will practise my profession with
conscience and dignity;
The health of my patient will be my
first consideration;
I will respect the secrets which are
confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I will maintain by all the means in my power,
the honour and the noble traditions of the
medical profession;
My colleagues will be my brothers;
I will not permit consideration of religion,
nationality, race, party; politics or social
standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life
from its beginning even under threat and I will not
use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
I will make these promises solemnly,
freely and upon my honour.