After World War II and the Nuremberg Trial Decision, humanity on one hand condemned the inhuman practices and tortures that took place during the war, and on the other hand updated basic humanitarian principles that had been formulated since the time of ancient Greek philosophy, when it gradually replaced the religious practices of Asclepius. The development of fundamental medical ethical principles has taken place and continues to take place through medical practice, which evolves and gains new skills and knowledge with the advancement of medical and biomedical technology and dialogue with other sciences, as realized in the second half of the 20th century and onwards until today.
This problematic has led various International Organizations, which have specialized knowledge of the issues that arise from various medical practices, especially those related to the beginning and end of life, to formulate fundamental ethical principles that must be applied or guide the execution of essential acts related to the treatment of diseases and adverse conditions faced by humans. Moreover, through this long-term development of ethical principles in the practice of medicine, the human-centered approach to medical practice has been given special basic processing and development.
Additionally, the evolution of modern societies has led to the gradual development of an organizational structure for addressing diseases and promoting health, with particular emphasis on disease prevention and providing people with appropriate means for their quality of life and well-being. The issues briefly mentioned above have provided occasions for the formation and expression of Declarations by International Organizations related to medical practice or the organization of modern societies, so that they promptly address various problems troubling human society and making it difficult for people to live with health and creativity.
In the present volume, thirty-nine texts of Declarations and Codes of ethical principles and guidelines for the better organization of the medical care delivery system have been collected and published, within a framework primarily stressing the role of medical knowledge and specialized medical care, but also taking into account the human-centered dimension, which is of particular importance through communication and understanding between doctor and patient. Additionally, some texts demonstrate the better organization of medical care provision and the fact that both aspects concerning public health and individualized medical care are considered.
This volume also serves an educational role because it offers the basic tools of knowledge and reflection to those interested in studying the fundamental dimensions of medical care, Medical Ethics and Deontology, Bioethics, and Public Health Ethics. The texts included in this volume come from the World Health Organization, the World Medical Association, the Council of Europe, and other Organizations associated with the study and examination of the applications of Biotechnology and Biomedicine and the ethical and deontological dimensions that arise during their application both in the collective dimension of Public Health and in the individual, personalized cases of addressing human diseases and risks.
