The american medical associations code of medical ethics is the most comprehensive ethics guide for physicians the definitive authority on medical professionalism the code was first developed in 1847 and undergoes regular revisions this 2008 2009 edition contains 200 ethical opinions of the amas council on ethical and judicial affairs along with the amas nine principles of medical . Since its adoption at the founding meeting of the american medical association in 1847 the ama code of medical ethics has articulated the values to which physicians commit themselves as members of the medical profession together the principles of medical ethics and the opinions of the amas council on ethical and judicial affairs make up the code. The american medical associations code of medical ethics is the most comprehensive ethics guide for physicians the definitive authority on medical professionalism the code was first developed in 1847 and undergoes regular revisions this 2008 2009 edition contains 200 ethical opinions of the amas council on ethical and judicial affairs along with the amas nine principles of medical . Principles adopted by the american medical association are not laws but standards of conduct that define the essentials of honorable behavior for the physician principles of medical ethics i a physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights ii a physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism be honest . The ama was founded in part to establish the first national codification of medical ethics the ama code of medical ethics and the ama journal of ethicsr collectively underscore amas commitment to promote the art of medicine and the betterment of public healththe code is widely recognized as the most comprehensive ethics guide for physicians the opinions in the code address issues and