Medicine is a healing art and a science, in which communication between the physicianand the patient with appropriate informed consent is essential. Despite cultural, social,national, and legal differences, the importance of ethical conduct and continual reviewof ethical standards is universal in the profession of perinatal medicine. Ethics, whichhas roots in philosophy, is an essential component of perinatal medicine andaddresses the questions, “what is right” and “what we ought to do” in particular clinicalcircumstances. These questions should be answered on the basis of relevant clinicalethical concepts. These questions should also be addressed on the basis of applicablelaw, provided it meets international standards of justice and human rights. The GeneralAssembly of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine approves the followingGENERAL ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS.