Proposed amendment to the Guide to Professional Conduct

Authors: Piper C
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 5, pp 75, May 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: Ethics, Treatment/therapy, Alternate remedies/homeopathy, Veterinary profession
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In late October of last year I was asked by the New Zealand Veterinary Association for my submission on the proposed addition to the “Guide to Professional Conduct” VIII: 25 Unorthodox Medicine and Methods. I understand I was one of 15 individuals or groups sought to provide constructive views from a cross-section of the profession. My submission was requested by 1st December 1986. No reason for the need for this addition was given. To my knowledge, no such provision appears in other veterinary Ethics Guides around the world. Indeed, the R.C.V.S. trusts the integrity of its members to “make a professional judgement on the appropriateness of whichever treatment they decide upon”. Why is there suddenly a need for such an addition? A major review of the “Guide” was carried out recently (1½ years ago). Surely that was the appropriate time to consider such an addition. The whole profession was invited to make submissions for this review. Why was a limited and biased sample of the profession asked to consider the above addition? It seems strange that the members most likely to be affected by this addition were not able to give as full a representation as possible…

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