WMA Policy Handbook

Record of the WMA’s stance on a variety of 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.

The current version was printed in December 2023, updated with the result of the decisions made by the WMA General Assembly, Kigali 2023. You may download it from here.