The Alcohol Industry and Social Responsibility: Links to FASD

Abstract

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is directly linked to the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Prevention programs have been targeted at women of childbearing age and vulnerable populations. The beverage alcohol industry (manufacture, marketing, distribution, and retail) is often seen as playing a role in prevention strategies such as health warning labels. In this paper we explore the nature of the relationship between the industry and prevention programming. We consider the place of alcohol in society; the prevalence, social and economic costs of FASD; the ethical notion of alcohol-related harm and then move onto the question of public health partnerships with the industry including the potential conflicts of interests and ethical challenges in such partnerships.

Perspective Chapter: Autism Spectrum Disorder Neurophenotype with Preconceptional and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure – A Call for Industry Responsibility in Prevention

“…Whereas alcohol taxes are embedded in most governmental gross domestic profits, the industry seems immune to mandated responsibility for health consequences due to its products (beer, wine, or liquor) [30]. Social responsibility should account for more than prevention efforts [31]. The pharmaceutical industry is required to make reparations for damage from its products, yet the alcohol industry has no financial or legal accountability for ND-PAE or other medical problems.…”