Final answer:
The WMA code of ethics includes four main principles: Autonomy, Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, and Justice. These principles ensure informed consent, actions for patient benefit, avoidance of harm, and fair treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the ethical principles found in the WMA code of ethics, which are applicable in the context of medical practice and research. There are four primary ethical principles that are generally acknowledged:
- Autonomy - Patients have the right to make decisions about their healthcare.
- Beneficence - There is a duty to act in the best interests of others and to benefit patients.
- Nonmaleficence - One must not cause harm to others and, in medical settings, any potential harm should be minimized.
- Justice - It refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of resources and treatment.
These principles guide ethical decision-making in medicine, ensuring patients are treated with respect, care, and fairness. The principle of autonomy reflects the need for informed consent, beneficence indicates the commitment to acting for the good of patients, and nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm.