Abstract
Key influences may be hard to identify. In this personal paper I reflect on the role of the Chair of the Committee for Ethical Issues in Medicine (CEIM) and on ethical issues that have involved the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The committee has a diverse membership including several distinguished figures from outside medicine. In order to fulfil additional responsibilities the committee chair must bring to the CEIM practical ethics experience from outside bodies and, in turn, contribute externally through a variety of invitations and opportunities. It is impossible to know how far these spheres of influence extend, but I believe they are, on balance, significant, positive and necessary to the overall life of the RCP.