Taking action on developmental toxicity: Scientists’ duties to protect children

Environmental Health

Commentary

Kristin Shrader-Frechette¹ 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 46556, Notre Dame, IN, USA;Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, 100 Malloy Hall, 46556, Notre Dame, IN, USA;

关键词: Developmental toxicity;    Ethics;    Justice;    Policy;    Risk;    Scientists’ duties;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1476-069X-11-61

 received in 2012-05-31, accepted in 2012-08-15,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAlthough adaptation and proper biological functioning require developmental programming, pollutant interference can cause developmental toxicity or DT.ObjectivesThis commentary assesses whether it is ethical for citizens/physicians/scientists to allow avoidable DT.MethodsUsing conceptual, economic, ethical, and logical analysis, the commentary assesses what major ethical theories and objectors would say regarding the defensibility of allowing avoidable DT.ResultsThe commentary argues that (1) none of the four major ethical theories (based, respectively, on virtue, natural law, utility, or equity) can consistently defend avoidable DT because it unjustifiably harms, respectively, individual human flourishing, human life, the greatest good, and equality. (2) Justice also requires leaving “as much and as good” biological resources for all, including future generations possibly harmed if epigenetic change is heritable. (3) Scientists/physicians have greater justice-based duties, than ordinary/average citizens, to help stop DT because they help cause it and have greater professional abilities/opportunities to help stop it. (4) Scientists/physicians likewise have greater justice-based duties, than ordinary/average citizens, to help stop DT because they benefit more from it, given their relatively greater education/consumption/income. The paper shows that major objections to (3)-(4) fail on logical, ethical, or scientific grounds, then closes with practical suggestions for implementing its proposals.ConclusionsBecause allowing avoidable DT is ethically indefensible, citizens---and especially physicians/scientists---have justice-based duties to help stop DT.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Shrader-Frechette; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012