| THEVETERINARIAN'S OATH
"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnlyswear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit ofsociety through the protection of animal health,the relief of animal suffering, and conservation oflivestock resources, the promotion of public health, and theadvancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and inkeeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of myprofessional knowledge and competence."
TheSociety for Veterinary Medical Ethics wasfounded in 1994 by a group of veterinarians, biomedical researchers,and academics to promote discussion and debate about ethical issuesarising in and relevant to veterinary practice. The Society presentlyhas approximately 160 members, including veterinary school deans,officers of the AVMA and state veterinary medical associations,board-certified laboratory animal medicine specialists, biomedicalscientists, officers of humane societies, clinical veterinarypractitioners, members of veterinary school and university faculties,and veterinary-oriented students. The SVME publishes a newsletter,holds a plenary meeting with lectures and discussions at the AVMAannual convention, distributes information regarding recentpublications relevant to veterinary ethics, and actively seeks toincrease and elevate the level of discussion of issues in veterinaryethics. Although most members of the SVME are veterinarians, membershipis not limited to veterinarians. The major objectives of the SVME are:
To encourage ethical practices and professional behavior ofveterinarians in all aspects of the profession.
To increase the understanding of the philosophical, social, moral andethical values encountered by the veterinary profession.
To sponsor seminars and other presentations on ethics and values atlocal, state, regional and national meetings of veterinarians and otherinterested individuals.
To promote the teaching of ethical and value issues at colleges ofveterinary medicine and to identify speakers on these subjects.
To encourage persons from other professions and disciplines, such asbiomedical research, medicine, law, political science, philosophy andtheology, to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions and studies ofthese issues.
To exchange information about veterinary ethical issues via bulletins,periodicals, and newsletters.
To maintain archives of appropriate documents and materials related tothese disciplines. |
