The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical overview of the developments in the field of ethics concerning medicine and health. The discourse also focuses on morals and ethics. We summarize major principles around which much of ethics debates concerning medical and health care have been organized. Following this our paper connects the medical ethics in India with the contemporary concern. The present paper is divided into two parts. The first part attempts to discuss historical development of medical ethics at global level. In particular, western philosophy has been profoundly shaped by three theories of ethics: Aristotelianism, deontology and utilitarianism. Each of these three theories can in turn be seen as essentially a product of the times in which it was originally born. The medical ethics have come a long way and still a continuing process. Ethical discourse is generated out of and applied in local worlds, however, so that it gets taken up in moral processes that are inseparable from local elations and conditions. The discourse of ethics and moral concludes that they are inseparable from local relations and conditions and at the same times aspires for trans-local perspective. Importantly, the four principles of ethics i.e. , autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) are prima facie and binding for each individual to follow. In the second part of paper, an effort has also been made to discuss the historical aspects of medical ethics in India. Medical ethics are not merely a moral code but a legally sanctioned code of conduct acceptable and normal within the medical profession. A broad range of issues can be covered under the rubric of ethical issues, however, specific concerns related to the globalization, equity in health, technology and ethics, informed consent, emergency and health care and reproduction are the major concern of ethics. The ideas enshrined in the doctrine of informed consent though not legally binding yet, continue to percolate into the medical and lay discourse. The doctrine of informed consent is complicated and needs to be addressed in socio-cultural and other constraints of the society. Advances in bio-sciences and bio-technology, such as surrogacy, sex selection, genetics etc. widened the scope of medical ethics. Ethics are the bridge between health policy and values. Health policy is related with the equity and justice to its people in receiving the health care, and thus medical ethics examines the moral validity of it. There is a need to develop an ethical culture in society. Ethics, equity and respect for humanity must be incorporated in all aspects of health care. Ethics has to be institutionalized wherever it is needed. Given the events of the last decades it is a sad reality that at least in the Indian health care set up ethics are losing their sight and has been moving towards commercialization than science and healing.