The code of ethics of the Medical College of Chile was modified in December 2019. The amendment was mainly to article 8, which refers to the doctor's duty to care for the pregnant woman and the child she is carrying. The change maintains this duty, but allows doctors to perform abortions, introducing three considerations that act as new principles or values for the medical profession: the plurality of values existing in society, the autonomy of women and what is established by law. This paper is a reflection on codes of ethics, their relationship with values, and with legislation. Also it shows the consequences that this modification represents for the principles governing medical activity, the status of medical specialties, the commitment of doctors to their patients and the validity of the code of ethics.