Ethics and Values Surrounding the Radiation Protection of Animals

Ethics and societal values form one of the three pillars supporting and informing the system of radiological protection, complementing the science and building from our individual and collective experience. Although the International Commission on Radiological Protection has recently highlighted the ethical foundations of the system of radiological protection (the System) with Publication 138, with Publication 91 outlining ethical principles of environmental radiation protection, the System has yet to specifically address the ethics associated with animals outside of the natural environment such as livestock, pets, or research animals. Therefore, in conjunction with the Commission's recent efforts in elaborating on the application and implementation of the System in veterinary practice is the consideration of the associated ethical values and principles foundational to the practice, with special attention given to the animal exposed. This paper outlines progress made in the latter area and proposes a practical, consistent approach to the ethics and values of the radiation protection of animals. Complementary to the ethical values of the System specified in Publication 138 are the correlated ethical values of respect for life, animal welfare, sustainable development, solidarity, and autonomy that are particularly relevant in veterinary practice. In addition to the procedural and ethical values of transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, additional procedural values of empathy and stewardship are needed in the implementation of the System in veterinary practice and in its application to non-human biota in general.