Ethical, Legal, Social and Professional Issues in Toxicology

Abstract

Toxicologists gather and assess data on the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment. Toxicological data can have significant finical implications as well individual and societal implications. It is thus important for a toxicologist to give careful consideration to values and ethics that underlie scientific research and decision making. The fundamental principles that an ethical toxicologist should consider can be summarized as: (i) dignity, which includes respect for the autonym of human and animal subjects; (ii) veracity, an adherence to transparency and presentation of all the facts so all parties can discover the truth; (iii) justice, which includes an equitable distributions of the costs, hazards, and gains; (iv) integrity, an honest and forthright approach; (v) responsibility, an acknowledgement of responsibility and accountability to all parties involved; and (vi) sustainability, consideration that actions are sustainable over a long period of time. The ethical toxicologist must move beyond adherence to the legal regulatory requirements or best practices and develop a deeper ethical foundation grounded in a consistent philosophy of basic values and principles. This chapter explores various historical and current ethical aspects of issues that professional toxicologists must address. Keywords: ethics; precautionary principle; justice; dignity; integrity; responsibility; veracity; sustainability; code of ethics