ABSTRACT
In Greece, medical practice and research are governed to a great extent by the Hippocratic tradition. Greek legislation and jurisprudence are in favour of absolute respect for human life and protection of the human body from serious injuries, even if the person himself consents to them. Research is not specifically regulated in Greece. Only clinical drugs trials on humans are regulated by a ministerial decree of 1984 which is based on the Helsinki Declaration with some innovations, such as regulation of research on pregnant women and provision for specific private insurance for death or injury during the research programme. Although the increasing progress of medical research and the ethical problems in Greek hospitals make apparent the need for Ethics Committees, these committees do not function yet in Greece except in two or three hospitals or Scientific Societies. Greece is a country where the Hippocratic tradition is still very much alive.
