>some kind of rules for professional conduct and an organization to enforce it like the lawyers have.

... how's that working out for you guys?

I mean, no offense, but the two professions require roughly the same mental acumen and amount of investment in learning materials (though lawyers go down a more academic path and must pass a bar exam, strictly there is more they "must" master) -- but out of "sleazy lawyer" and "sleazy programmer" which do you hear?

Likely because lawyers must represent their clients - some if whom are sleazy.

But I wouldn't take the ethical standard set by the legal profession as a paragon for other professions to emulate. Obviously it has severe limits.