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Letters |19 June 2001

Ethical Principles for Everyone

Alan R. Nelson, MD

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  • Fairfax, VA 22033 (Nelson)
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TO THE EDITOR:
In his editorial (1), Dr. Davidoff makes a comparison between ethical principles and laws, noting that ethical principles are not laws, but like laws they guide and shape behavior.
I would add that ethics, which are principles of honorable conduct, are higher than law, the latter being a rule of conduct enforced by a controlling authority. Part of medicine's current problem in maintaining professionalism is some confusion over this distinction, and the belief that “if it's legal, it must be ethical.” I believe that the principles developed by the Tavistock group provide a simple and comprehensive way to remember what honorable conduct means.
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Nelson AR. Ethical Principles for Everyone. Ann Intern Med. ;134:1151. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-134-12-200106190-00023

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Published: Ann Intern Med. 2001;134(12):1151.

DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-134-12-200106190-00023

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2001 American College of Physicians
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Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704

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