WMA Declaration on Medical Ethics and Advanced Medical Technology

Adopted by the 53rd WMA General Assembly, Washington, DC, USA, October 2002
and revised by the 63rd WMA General Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand, October 2012
It is essential to balance the benefits and risks for persons inherent in the development and application of advanced medical technology. Maintaining this balance is entrusted to the judgment of the physician.
Therefore:
Medical technology should be used to promote health. Patient safety should be fully considered by the physician in the development and application of medical technology.
In order to foster physicians’ ability to provide appropriate medical care and having sufficient knowledge of medical technology efforts must be made to ensure the provision of comprehensive medical education focusing on the safe and effective use and development of medical technology.