American Pediatric Surgical Association Ethics Statement

Although the intrinsic philosophy at the core of medical care has remained unchanged over the centuries, modern medicine is heavily dependent on pharmacological and technological advances. Effective medications, from analgesics and anesthetics to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, are continuously being developed and improved. The sophistication and reliability of ubiquitous medical equipment is also remarkable. The surgical specialties in particular, avail themselves to an immense array of products from small delicate and precise instruments to large, complex and costly equipment.