[Ethical values in the regulation of the exposure to electromagnetic fields]

The purpose of the present paper is to explore some ethical issues underlying the on-going debate on regulation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields, with special reference to the estimated number of attributable cases. The core issue is how to balance the need for electricity of modern society with the threat to the population's health, given the limited number of affected and the limited resources available. The paper compares a "commensurabilist" and an "incommensurabilist" approach to this problem, and suggests to refer to the metaphor of sacrifice rather to that of trade-off. Both approaches can be found at the core of the epidemiologic profession, they can conflict but also converge; the solution has to be sought case by case, being aware of the moral relevance of this process.