This article gives an overview of the development, remit, structure and working of the British Medical Association's Medical Ethics Committee. It situates it within a brief history of the Association and gives examples of current work.
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References
1.
British Medical Association. Medical Ethics Today. London: BMA, 1993:xxv
2.
Articles and Bylaws of the British Medical Association. See http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/PDFBMAArticles/$FILE/Articles0708.pdf
3.
See, for example, the statement from Lord Goff about the BMA's discussion paper on treatment of patients in persistent vegetative state in: Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] 1All ER 821. See BMA, Medical Ethics Committee. ‘Discussion paper on treatment of patients in persistent vegetative state.’London: BMA, September 1992
4.
See, for example, the statement about the BMA's work on advance statements in: Lord Chancellor's Department. Making Decisions: The Government's Proposals for Making Decisions on Behalf of Mentally Incapacitated Adults. London: The Stationery Office, 1999:para 14 (Cm 4665)
5.
For a complete list of the BMA's ethical guidancesee http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/HubProfessionalIssuesandEthics.
6.
British Medical Association. Withholding and Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: Guidance for decision-making. London: BMA, 2007
7.
8.
For information about the report of the Science and Technology Committee, see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm.
9.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Article 12(1). See: SteinerHJ, AlstonP. International Human Rights in Context. Oxford: OUP, 1996:1178
10.
World Medical Association. Declaration of Helsinki. As amended. See http://www.wma.net/e/policy/b3.htm. (last checked 29 February 2007)
