CHINA’S FIRST “CODE” OF MEDICAL ETHICS
To Sun Si Miao goes the credit for the first “code” of medical ethics in China.
It is less of a formal code, and more of a reminder. Dr. Sun stated simply his belief of what the virtuous physician ought to do, and what he ought to refrain from doing.
Clearly influenced by Taoist principles, his code of conduct echoed remarkably that of Hippocrates, and established for generations of Chinese physicians a professional standard to live by.
The main ethical principles focused on compassion, justice, beneficence, and humility. These values remain valid today, and define the ethical doctor.
They are presented below in condensed form (adapted from S. Dharmananda’s Sun Si Miao: Author of the Earliest Chinese Encyclopedia for Clinical Practice):
• Look upon those who have come to grief as if he himself had been struck, and he should sympathise with them deep in his heart.
• Do not give way to wishes and desires, but develop first a marked attitude of compassion.
• Do not ponder over his own fortune or misfortune and thus preserve life and have compassion for it.
• Whoever suffers from abominable things, such as ulcers or diarrhoea, will be looked upon with contempt by people. Yet even in such cases, an attitude of compassion, of sympathy, and of care should develop; by no means should there arise an attitude of rejection.
• Treat all patients alike, whether powerful or humble, rich or poor, old or young, beautiful or ugly, resentful relatives or kind friends, Chinese nationals or foreigners, fools or wise men.
• Neither dangerous mountain passes nor the time of day, neither weather conditions nor hunger, thirst nor fatigue should keep him from helping whole-heartedly.
• Make a dignified appearance, neither luminous nor sombre.
• It is not permissible to be talkative and make provocative speeches, to make fun of others and raise one’s voice, to decide right from wrong, and to discuss other people and their business.
• The wealth of others should not be the reason to prescribe precious and expensive drugs, and thus make access to help more difficult and underscore one’s own merits and abilities. Such conduct has to be regarded as contrary to the teaching of magnanimity. The object is to help.
