ABSTRACT
Objectives • Apply ethical principles in the practice of Oriental medicine with a
focus on ear acupuncture • Analyze new trends in auricular studies connected with medical
research ethics • Understand basic goals and methodologies of research as a way to
think about auricular acupuncture • Study ancient and modern-day medical oaths
Introduction Although it may appear to be relatively more benign, auricular acupuncture, like all acupuncture practice, is the practice of medicine, and all medical elds are bound by medical ethics even if they do not have an articulated code. Medical ethics consists of the values of the profession and how they aect the practitioner, the patient, the profession, and the public. e four guiding principles of medical ethics are benecence, nonmalecence, patient autonomy, and justice.
