Ethics Code for Drinking Ayahuasca

[shoemaker]

This message is from Bia Labate, with the document described pasted below

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you know the publication of a new important document in my site, the Ethical code for Organizations which use ayahuasca in Spain (November 2009).

This document is part of a movement organized by filmmaker Jerónimo M.M (ayadoc.blogspot.com), and anthropologist Santiago Lopez Pavillard, among others, with the support of the Eleusis Association from Madrid. It is the result of a series of meetings to discuss the creation of a federation of ayahuasca organizations in Spain, including Santo Daime, União do Vegetal (UDV), Shuar shamans, Peruvian ayahuasca healers, Caminho Vermelho, psychologists, and other psychonauts who would establish a code of ethics for ayahuasca consumption. The discussion included consideration of the problems associated with publicity, profits, consumption by minors, and the nature of relationship between the session leader and the participants. Also discussed was the idea that various existing traditions should specify their practices, forms of initiation, and the training given to their leaders.

The document was translated to English specially to our site by Jimmy Weiskopf. Read it here:
www.bialabate.net/wp-conten..._Spain.pdf

Read the original in Spanish here: www.plantaforma.org/3.html

Best wishes
Bia Labate
bialabate.net Ethical code for Organizations which use Ayahuasca in Spain
Translated from Spanish into English by Jimmy Weiskopf
Without implying the alteration of their own identities and principles, the entities and
organizations whose signatures are found below commit themselves through this charter
to adopt the following common ethical procedures with regard to the use of
AYAHUASCA in organized sessions:
1. RECEPTION AND FOLLOW-UP
1. A prior interview of the participants must always be held, with the aim of informing
them about the indispensable requisites for participating in a session and of discovering
if there is any cause which may prevent their participation.
2. The participants should be informed of the possible effects, form and duration of the
session, and of the composition of the substance to be taken, so that they may
understand and assimilate it.
3. A subsequent follow-up of the participants is recommended.
4. It is recommended that the participants sign a statement of informed consent about
the session to be held.
5. We must maintain an optimum level of human quality at all times: before, during and
after the sessions.
2. PROHIBITIONS
The following persons should be prohibited from participating:
1. Those who are mentally handicapped by some kind of severe disorder
2. Those who are taking a medication incompatible with the use of this drink
3. Participants who are uninformed or reject the information given to them
4. Anyone who does not meet the conditions set by the entity which organizes the
session.
3. MONEY
1. The sale, trafficking, commercialization of or speculation of any kind with the use of
ayahuasca is not permitted.
2. The aim of economic contributions must be to cover the costs deriving from the
holding of the sessions as well as to help the indigenous peoples, religious traditions or
schools and scientific investigations to maintain their structures.
4. LEGALITY
The organizations and entities which organize Ayahuasca sessions have the obligation
to behave and express themselves in accordance with the laws in force laid down in our
Constitution or to work to modify them, in line with this Code, so that they may be in
harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially in regard to that
pertaining to freedom of conscience and religious liberty, always seeking that their
actions do not harm others.
5. HEALTH
Ayahuasca should not be offered as the "panacea" for everything.
6. ENVIRONMENT
The preparation of the drink should not cause harm to the natural habitat of its origin
nor imply any threat to the people native to its environment. The protection of nature
and its inhabitants (Mother Earth) should always be the principle which links the
ayahuasca-drinkers of the world.
7. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
1. Each entity must assume responsibility for the information which it provides to its
members or the communication media, taking care not to speak in the name of other
organizations and choosing its spokesmen with care.
2. This Code assumes a commitment not to practice proselytism or make publicity-type
claims for the sessions or the consumption of ayahahuasca. However, all interested
parties or newcomers have the right to receive the information they ask for in a sane and
positive form.
3. The Platform supports the scientific investigation of ayahuasca and commits itself to
collaborate with specific cases of investigation.
8. AUTHORIZATION, GUIDANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SESSIONS
1. Any person who guides an Ayahuasca session must have the corresponding
authorization and supervision of those responsible for his line of work. In cases where
they do not belong to any recognized Line of Work, they must inform the participants of
this.
2. The person who guides an Ayahuasca session must not take the sessions beyond the
limits of what he is capable and sure of carrying out, be it in terms of time, intensity or
any other factor.
3. The person who guides an Ayahuasca session is obliged to develop the sessions in a
righteous and ethical way, aiming exclusively at the personal development of the
persons who attend the session or of his or her group, organization or environment and
for the benefit of mankind. He or she must absolutely abstain from voluntarily causing
harm to anyone by:
a) Respecting the sexual, physical and emotional integrity of the participants.
b) Refusing to wheedle for money or favors during the session.
c) Treating all the personal information about those who attend as confidential.
9. COVERAGE
1. This ethical code is open to new contributions
2. The members commit themselves to help all other fraternal organizations and to
defend all aspects related to the use of Ayahuasca, in an honest effort to achieve the
union of the adherent persons and organizations.
3. The members commit themselves to endeavor to maintain a high level of prestige,
rigor and social utility in their practices.
4. Everyone who adheres to the present ethical code commits himself or herself to bring
to the attention of the Platform for the defense of Ayahuasca any known irregularity or
abuse which endangers the good name of Ayahuasca, so that the Platform may take the
consequent actions.
Ethical Code, approved on November 23, 2009.
Note: This Ethical Code is a minimal code common to all people or organizations
which form part of the Platform. (source: www.plantaforma.org/3.html)