Module 6: Environmental Ethics

Why is environmental ethics relevant to bioethics?

because of the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between human health and the environment. This recognition highlights that environmental degradation and climate change directly impact human well-being

medical ethics

Focuses primarily on individual patients

public health ethics

Focuses on populations

concept of environmental justice

fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

concept of environmental racism

A form of systemic racism where communities of color are disproportionately burdened with environmental hazards (e.g., living near toxic waste sites, breathing polluted air), leading to worsened health outcomes.

What are social determinants of health (SDOH)?

-Health is More Than Healthcare: social factors such as income, education, and environment impact health outcomes.

-Health disparities are not random; they are patterned by social structures like racism, classism, and historical injustices

How does SDOH apply to Flint Water Crisis?

Flint underscored that environmental racism, poverty, and lack of education directly shape health

Anthropocentrism

places human interests at the center of moral concern

Sentientism

ethical view that moral consideration should be extended to all sentient beings. That is, beings that can experience pleasure, pain, suffering, or joy

Biocentrism

all life-forms have inherent value, and all living things have “substantive” moral standing

Ecocentrism

the view that environmental decisions should take in the entire ecosystem rather than the health and well-being of any plant or animal.

Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic

he emphasized the need for humans to recognize their ethical responsibility towards the land, to understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems, to act as responsible stewards, to promote a conservation ethic, and to shift from an anthropocentric perspective

Animal Welfare Act of 1970

sets standards for the humane care and treatment of animals in the U.S.

intergenerational justice

The ethical obligation to consider the rights and health of future generations when making decisions today.