Earth, air, fire and water : moral responsibility and the problem of global drug resistance

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In this dissertation, I grapple with the problem of global drug resistance and moralresponsibility which, as far as I am aware, has so far not been presented as a topic ofethical inquiry. It represents a conundrum involving three major factors: microbialadaptation and change, human social factors and environmental changes. Drugresistance is a phenomenon in which certain microorganisms, when exposed toantimicrobial agents, may acquire the beneficial trait of drug resistance which ensuresa better potential for their survival. The acquired trait of drug resistance I arguerenders such microorganisms 'supra-natural '. Supra-natural is a term I coin forentities that have been imposed upon nature by human design; they do not follow thenatural evolutionary processes of adaptation and change. Drug resistance is classifiedas an emerging infectious disease. Human social factors and environmental change(particularly population growth, density and consumerist practices) enhance the riseof emerging infectious diseases. Through such increasing destructive practices, stressis placed on the environment. Environmental stress facilitates the rise of new and oldinfectious diseases and the spread of drug resistant supra-natural microorganisms.Thus, our ability to treat successfully illnesses and injuries in humans, animals andplants is increasingly impaired. Morally, we are responsible for the problem of globaldrug resistance. Drug resistant microorganisms exist in nature and concerning this,we can do nothing. At best, we can only try to control the problem using prudentialmeasures. The problem of global drug resistance represents both a biomedical ethicaland an environmental ethical issue. Is there a way out of the human-nature debate?Through Bryan Norton's enlightened anthropocentrism, I identify the ways in whichhis thesis may be applied to the problem of human and environmental concerns andshow its applicability in broadening the parameters of biomedical ethics education toinclude environmental concerns.Key words: biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, drug resistance, Supra-natural'microorganisms, ethics education, enlightened-anthropocentrism.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University