Ethical considerations for the biomedical communications professional

A justification and foundation to assist the biomedical communicator in forming a professional code of ethics is offered. Included is a discussion and definition from an historical perspective regarding ethical considerations as they specifically relate to the professional biocommunicator. Informed consent is discussed as one example to illustrate some of the important and complex questions that may need to be raised in forming a professional ethical code. It is the authors' feeling that codes of ethics can positively enhance the professional corporate progress of the biocommunications profession.