Policy

WMA's Policies on Ethical and Social Issues



The Handbook of WMA Policy is issued as a record of the World Medical Association’s stance on a variety of ethical and social issues. The issues are usually important factors in human health and are relevant to physicians worldwide. Some of the Declarations have needed revision in light of new knowledge or to improve the sometimes awkward wording that inevitably occurs when people of different tongues deliberate together. This dynamic process shows that the WMA is a constantly evolving, unique organization, ideal to act as a protector of patients’ best interests, and as advocates for the medical profession.

Policies reaffirmed by the 220th Council Session, Paris (hybrid), April 2022 and the 221st Council Session, Berlin, October 2022

Internal Guidelines adopted by the 220th Council Session, Paris (hybrid), April 2022 and the General Assembly, Berlin, October 2022

Policy Handbook English-Version 2022-2 (printed in October 2022; 8 MB)