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THE
VETERINARIAN'S OATH
"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly
swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of
society through the protection of animal health,
the relief of animal suffering, and conservation of
livestock resources, the promotion of public health, and the
advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in
keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my
professional knowledge and competence."
The
Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics was
founded in 1994 by a group of veterinarians, biomedical researchers,
and academics to promote discussion and debate about ethical issues
arising in and relevant to veterinary practice. The Society presently
has approximately 160 members, including veterinary school deans,
officers of the AVMA and state veterinary medical associations,
board-certified laboratory animal medicine specialists, biomedical
scientists, officers of humane societies, clinical veterinary
practitioners, 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 AVMA
annual convention, distributes information regarding recent
publications relevant to veterinary ethics, and actively seeks to
increase and elevate the level of discussion of issues in veterinary
ethics. Although most members of the SVME are veterinarians, membership
is not limited to veterinarians.
The major objectives of the SVME are:
To encourage ethical practices and professional behavior of
veterinarians in all aspects of the profession.
To increase the understanding of the philosophical, social, moral and
ethical values encountered by the veterinary profession.
To sponsor seminars and other presentations on ethics and values at
local, state, regional and national meetings of veterinarians and other
interested individuals.
To promote the teaching of ethical and value issues at colleges of
veterinary medicine and to identify speakers on these subjects.
To encourage persons from other professions and disciplines, such as
biomedical research, medicine, law, political science, philosophy and
theology, to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions and studies of
these issues.
To exchange information about veterinary ethical issues via bulletins,
periodicals, and newsletters.
To maintain archives of appropriate documents and materials related to
these disciplines.
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