The Work of ICRP on the Ethical Foundations of the System of Radiological Protection

Abstract

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has established Task Group 94 (TG 94) to develop a publication on the ethical foundations of the system of radiological protection aiming to consolidate the basis of ICRP's recommendations, to improve the understanding of the system and to provide a basis for communication on radiation risk and its perception. Through the review of the publications of the Commission and the conduct of a series of workshops, TG 94 has identified the key components of the ethical theories and principles relevant to the system of radiological protection. The purpose of eliciting the ethical values underpinning the system of radiological protection is not only to clarify the rationale of the recommendations made by the Commission, but also to assist in discussions related to its practical implementation. The report nearing completion by TG 94 will present the key steps concerning the scientific, ethical and practical evolutions of the system of radiological protection since the first ICRP publication in 1928, describe the core ethical values underpinning the present system and address the key procedural aspects for its implementation.

Animal Experimentation in Oncology and Radiobiology: Arguments for and Against Following a Critical Literature Review

“…Animal research must be careful, that is, it must be able to make good decisions despite the uncertainties (56). Animal testing should be allowed and is morally justifiable when it is similar to research conducted on humans and with the same sensitivity, because huge benefits emerge (43) and no unnecessary harm is done to animals (necessity determined by the purpose of the research) (47).…”

“…Some think that all harms caused to humans by experimenting on animals should be part of the calculation of benefits versus harms (46), including counterfactual harms and benefits, i.e., those that could have happened if there had been less or more testing (47). Research on radiation exposure that does more harm than good should not take place according to the principle of justification, which is a principle of exposure that applies to the different types of situations and categories of exposure (56). In general, according to Galgut (46), human interests are overrated when it comes to defending animal experimentation: animal experiments are often conducted with the aim of relieving superficial conditions related to comfort rather than suffering or potentially fatal conditions.…”

“…Studies using low doses of exposure to ionizing radiation show that this increases the risk of developing cancer, and at higher doses, of developing heart disease or cataracts in the animals on which these experiments were performed (55). However, principles of beneficence and non-maleficence must take into account the impact of radiation on health (56). According to the principles of optimization and limitation of individual doses, exposure to radiation should be held as low as reasonably achievable and should not exceed the limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (56).…”

“…However, principles of beneficence and non-maleficence must take into account the impact of radiation on health (56). According to the principles of optimization and limitation of individual doses, exposure to radiation should be held as low as reasonably achievable and should not exceed the limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (56).…”

“…There is no reason to think that the life experience of the animal is worth less than the one of the human being and that it deserves less moral weight, because we do not have access to their subjective experiences nor to the sense that these experiences can have for them (45). Likewise, it is inequitable to expose only a few individuals to radiation; all individuals are entitled to the same treatment and should receive the same consideration of their opinions if they are involved in radiation protection (56). Alternatives to animal testing help avoid or minimize animal pain and suffering (40,41), which is in accordance with the 3Rs principles (50,62).…”