Could low-level exposure to polluting chemicals be analogous to
exercise-a beneficial source of stress that strengthens the body?
Some scientists studying the phenomenon of hormesis (beneficial or
stimulatory effects caused by low-dose exposure to toxic
substances) claim that that this may be the case. Is A Little
Pollution Good For You? critically examines the current evidence
for hormesis. In the process, it highlights the range of
methodological and interpretive judgments involved in environmental
research: choices about what questions to ask and how to study
them, decisions about how to categorize and describe new
information, judgments about how to interpret and evaluate
ambiguous evidence, and questions about how to formulate public
policy in response to debated scientific findings. The book also
uncovers the ways that interest groups with deep pockets attempt to
influence these scientific judgments for their benefit. Several
chapters suggest ways to counter these influences and incorporate a
broader array of societal values in environmental research: (1)
moving beyond conflict-of-interest policies to develop new ways of
safeguarding academic research from potential biases; (2) creating
deliberative forums in which multiple stakeholders can discuss the
judgments involved in policy-relevant research; and (3) developing
ethical guidelines that can assist scientific experts in
disseminating debated and controversial phenomena to the public.
Kevin C. Elliott illustrates these strategies in the hormesis case,
as well as in two additional case studies involving contemporary
environmental research: endocrine disruption and multiple chemical
sensitivity. This book should be of interest to a wide variety of
readers, including scientists, philosophers, policy makers,
environmental ethicists and activists, research ethicists, industry
leaders, and concerned citizens. "This is a timely, well-researched
and compelling book .Elliott admirably combines insights and
strategies from philosophy of science with those of applied ethics
to carefully analyze contemporary science and science policy around
pollutants and human health. There is a growing interest in the
philosophy of science community in bringing the work of
philosophers to bear on contemporary social issues. This book
stands out as a model for how to do just that." - Sandra D.
Mitchell, Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh Is A Little
Pollution Good For You? is a wonderfully clear and insightful book
dealing with the interplay between social values and economic and
political interests in scientific research. He articulates an
account of how societal values should and should not enter into
science and illustrates his views with an extended discussion of
research on hormesis-the hypothesis that chemicals that are toxic
at high doses may be benign or even beneficial at low doses. The
chemical industry has a strong financial interest in promoting
scientific acceptance of hormesis, as this could convince
regulatory agencies to loosen up restrictions on allowable
exposures to pesticides and other chemicals. Elliott argues that
because scientists have an obligation to minimize the harmful
effects of their research, they must be mindful of the social
context of their work and how it may be interpreted and applied by
private companies or interest groups, to the potential detriment of
public and environmental health. Elliott's book is a must read for
researchers, scholars, and students who are interested in the
relationship between science, industry, and society." - David B.
Resnik, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
National Institutes of Health, author of Playing Politics With
Science: Balancing Scientific Independence And Government
General
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