PoPulationand Public HealtH etHics

practice
How might the decision and/or action be evaluated?
An ethical analysis is intended to aid, in a transparent way, in the development
of a rationale for action, usually a future action — amid alternatives — to
be taken. The analysis should clearly reveal all components of the identified
ethical dilemma under each of the relevant ethical principles. In so doing,
the basis for the action chosen can be defended. As importantly, the consequences
of the action can be revisited in the context of the rationale and a
new action could be proposed if warranted.
While the point of an ethical analysis of a past case is not to seek retribution,
it does reveal better ways to move forward. One recognizes that the above
process was not evident in the present case. One can hope that by adopting
an ethical case analysis, better ways exist for deciding on future actions.
reFerences
1 Beauchamp, T. L. and Childress, J. F. (2008). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (Sixth
Edition). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
2 Jonsen, A. R. (1991). Casuistry as Methodology in Clinical Ethics. Theoretical
Medicine:12(4):295–307.
3 Solidarity defined (2011) at http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/industrial
relations/dictionary/definitions/solidarityprinciple.htm
4 Soskolne, C. L. (1991). Ethical Decision-Making in Epidemiology: The case study
approach. J Clin Epidemiol: 44(Suppl. 1):125S-130-S.
5 Hall, C. A. S. and Day, J. W. Jr. (2009). Revisiting the limits to growth after peak
oil. American Scientist: 97; 230–237.
6 Loyie, F. (2009). Doctor Who Suggested Oilsands-Cancer Link Cleared Of
Misconduct Charge, National Post Canwest News Service. 2009, November
07. Retrieved from: http://fairwhistleblower.ca/content/doctor-who-suggestedoilsands-cancer-link-cleared-misconduct-charge
7 Cancer rates downstream from oilsands to be probed. (2011). CBC News. 2011
Aug 19. Retrieved from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/08/19/edmcancer-oilsands-fort-chipewyan-study.html
8 Is there a cancer threat from the oil sands industry? (2011). 2011 April 19.
Retrieved from: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/suzuki-elders/2011/04/is-therea-cancer-threat-from-the-oil-sands-industry/
9 Royal Society to review oil sands study following criticism. (2012). Postmedia
News. 2012 Feb 24. Retireved from: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/
24/royal-society-to-review-oil-sands-study-following-criticism/
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