> Even the Hippocratic Oath is not as legally binding as we might want it to be.
That's largely because "do no harm" is a really fuzzy concept in a field where treatments like chemotherapy that put patients through absolute hell without any guarantee of remission or even comfort.
Other licensed professionals like professional engineers and lawyers have ethical codes with quite a bit more legal heft.
Not that the Hippocratic Oath is required everywhere or even consistently used.
> Contrary to popular belief, the Hippocratic Oath is not required by most modern medical schools, although some have adopted modern versions[1] that suit many in the profession in the 21st century.
It is legally binding, it's just implemented via professional association rather than a regulatory framework. The US government even sues the NSPE over antitrust violations because of that code of ethics.
See National Society of Professional Engineers v. United States 435 US 679 [1]
I mean, it might not be legally binding, but violating it will get you disbarred afaik. And if you are disbarred, you cannot legally practice law, so it is kinda legally binding, just not directly.
That's largely because "do no harm" is a really fuzzy concept in a field where treatments like chemotherapy that put patients through absolute hell without any guarantee of remission or even comfort.
Other licensed professionals like professional engineers and lawyers have ethical codes with quite a bit more legal heft.