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Charter of Ethics

The SAMA ETHICAL CHARTER guarantees the principles guiding the institution’s actions in the areas of science, tradition and research in Ayurveda.

Preamble

Objective

The Charter constitutes a set of guiding principles for the work of the Swiss Ayurvedic Medical Academy (hereinafter SAMA), whose mission is to promote Ayurveda through science and research with respect to its authentic tradition.

It is intended for professionals, teachers, students, researchers, and to anyone else.


SAMA’s Vocation

SAMA’s vocational mission lies in working to improve health worldwide, in the light of mankind’s needs in terms of individual and public health, using a holistic approach which respects the ecological and social environments.

A private institution, SAMA is determined to fulfil its mission nationally, while pursuing a broad-based international policy at the highest possible level.

SAMA will rise to the worldwide challenges by taking an active part in those international bodies that are committed to the preservation, representation and promotion of Ayurveda as a complete medical system in full keeping with its traditional values.


The SAMA Spirit

We strive constantly to develop four essential qualities:

  1. Our aim is excellence, without hesitating to call ourselves into question or to reconsider the way we work. We strive for the highest quality.
  2. We place great value on honesty, clarity, fruitful collaboration, dialogue, and concertation.
  3. We act with total integrity and respect for national and international laws.
  4. We conduct our work in a context of good governance.

These points are considered complementary to, and inseparable from, an ethical approach. Thus they represent a constant goal, as well as a source of inspiration at all levels of action by SAMA members.


Science and Teaching First

The work of experts, teachers, advisors and researchers must not be placed second to any outside interest of an industrial or economic nature.

SAMA strives to remain independent, morally and scientifically, of all political and/or economic authority.

Research

Research is, first and foremost, a process that enriches human knowledge, in the context of our short- and long-term development. The researcher, group or individual, may find him/herself in the situation of having to take partin a decision as an expert. This can often mean having to choose between the short- and long-term interests of the research, of the company, or even of those of a group among, or the body of, the researchers.

Five basic principles serve as a framework for on-going ethical reflection supported by this responsibility. These five principles concern both the researcher and those who benefit from the results, the sponsors or publishing bodies.

1. Responsibility

Since knowledge and information constitute tools of power, the principle of responsibility covers a very wide spectrum, from personal responsibility to collective responsibility in the advance of knowledge and technologies. The principle of researcher responsibility applies in several ways: toward oneself and one’s personal entourage, toward mankind, toward the environment, and toward future generations.

2. Truth

Even though the quest for truth is an ever-unfinished labour, the principle of truth is a vital prerequisite for scientific and technical activity. Any dialogue of a scientific or critical nature — criticising a work, for example — is based on the principle of a quest for truth. The advancement of knowledge is made possible by critical observation of a number of facets of reality. This dynamic approach constitutes a basic principle of research.

3. Freedom

The principle of freedom of research presupposes the ideal of free exchange and dissemination of knowledge. It respects the rules of the protection of ideas and the recognition of intellectual property, which guarantee the optimal conditions for the sharing of knowledge. The principle of freedom of research is the driving force for theadvancement of knowledge and technological innovation.

4. Transparency

This principle covers the non-dissimulation of problems of any kind which may come up during research activities or be posed by their results. It also covers the recognition of specific, pre-set a prioris. It calls forrealism and the courage to confront problems in order to find suitable solutions. It includes the recognition of the limitations of knowledge.

5. Precaution

Under the principle of precaution, recognised by various national and international legal instruments and judicial decisions, it is not necessary to have an overall body of scientific proof to take action, just a sufficient amount of evidence. The principle of precaution appeals to the ability to anticipate, and to an obligation on the part of all those involved in the research to provide information that is as complete and as objective as possible. In this, their function and their responsibility are vital, avoiding actions being taken too late.

The exercise of the precaution principle requires vigilance, wisdom and discipline in face of what the dissemination of knowledge involves.

Conclusion

Under the aims of this charter, the activities of SAMA

  • promote Ayurveda through science and research with respect to its authentic tradition.
  • fulfil its mission nationally, while pursuing a broad-based international policy.
  • are endowed with responsibility, truth, freedom, transparency and precaution
  • favour scientific and cultural interests over marketing ones.

References:
www.charteetique.eu
www.charteepfl.ch