The ethics of disease eradication

Area of Science:

• Public Health Ethics
• Global Health Policy

Background:

• Disease eradication is often viewed as ethically exceptional.
• Arguments for exceptionalism include symbolic importance, public good, and rescue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the ethical basis of disease eradication policies.
• To evaluate common arguments that position eradication as ethically distinct.

Main Methods:

• Ethical analysis of justifications for disease eradication.
• Examination of arguments concerning special duties and permissions.

Main Results:

• Arguments based on symbolic importance, public good, and rescue do not establish special ethical duties or permissions for eradication.
• The failure of these arguments does not render eradication ethically problematic.

Conclusions:

• Global disease eradication offers substantial, long-term health benefits.
• Standard public health principles of equitable and efficient disease burden reduction adequately support eradication as a goal when feasible.