[Ethics in epidemiology].

Progress in epidemiology was instrumental for recognising health risk factors and emphasising health protection and health risk prevention; it may contribute to a Copernican turn in setting new priorities in health care politics and health care ethics, in redefining health, disease, and individual health literacy and responsibility. This paper reviews recent national and international activities to formulate a Code of Ethics for Epidemiologists and evaluates central bioethical principals for epidemiologists.