About the Book
The increasing emergence, re-emergence, and spread of deadly infectious diseases which pose health, economic, security and ethical challenges for states and people around the world, has given rise to an important global debate. The actual or potential burden of infectious diseases is sometimes so great that governments treat them as threats to national security. However, such treatment potentially increases the risk that emergency disease-control measures will be ineffective, counterproductive and/or unjust. Research on ethical issues associated with infectious disease is a relatively new and rapidly growing area of academic inquiry, as is research on infectious diseases within the field of security studies. This volume incorporates ethical and security perspectives, thus furthering research in both fields. Its unique focus on the intersection of ethical and security dimensions will, furthermore, generate fresh insights on how governments should respond to infectious disease challenges. Readers should include professionals and scholars working in infectious disease, epidemiology, public health, health law, health economics, public policy, bioethics, medical humanities, health and human rights, social/political philosophy, security studies, and international politics.
Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction, Christian Enemark and Michael J. Selgelid; The concept of security, Jonathan Herington; The value of security: a moderate pluralist perspective, Michael J. Selgelid; HIV/AIDS, security and ethics, Michael J. Selgelid and Christian Enemark; Filth and failure: the security politics of cholera, Christian Enemark; Securitizing epidemics: three lessons from history, Stefan Elbe; The disappearing act of global health security, Niamh Stephenson; Extending ethical justification for public health surveillance to situation awareness, Lisa M. Lee; Electronic surveillance for communicable disease prevention and control: health protection or a threat to privacy and autonomy, Gwendolyn L. Gilbert; Ethics of research in epidemic response, Andreas Alois Reis and Ronald Kam FaiFung; Media ethics and infectious diseases, Claire Hooker, Julie Leaske and Catherine King; Ethics and indigeneity in responding to pandemic influenza: Maori values in New Zealand’s emergency planning, Louise Delany; Governance, rights and pandemics: science, public health or individual rights?, Terry Carney and Belinda Bennett; Index.
About the Author :
Michael J. Selgelid is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Human Bioethics, Monash University, Australia. Christian Enemark is Reader in Global Health and International Politics at Aberystwyth University, UK. Christian Enemark ,Michael J. Selgelid, Jonathan Herington, Stefan Elbe, Niamh Stephenson, Lisa M. Lee, Gwendolyn L. Gilbert, Andreas Alois Reis, Ronald K.am FaiFungClaire Hooker, Julie Leaske, Catherine King, Louise Delany, Terry Carney, Belinda Bennett.
Review :
'An excellent composition of scholarly analysis and reflection. It helps to clarify the concepts, arguments and further needs for research, education and policy development in a contested area of Public Health. It is well composed and easily accessible, stimulating more work in this area. It has the potential to become a standard reference work.' Ole Doring, Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany 'The International Relations community is still coming to grips with whether deadly infectious diseases should be framed as a global security concern. This edited collection provides a novel multidisciplinary analysis of the dilemma, allowing the reader to consider the ethical implications of such securitizing moves. As such, the book is a constructive and worthwhile contribution that is accessible to both academics and policy makers.' Sara Davies, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, Australia 'This multi-author, multi-disciplinary volume is an outstanding contribution to one of the most pressing problems the global community confronts today and in the future - how should we deal with the certainty of widespread outbreaks of naturally occurring infectious diseases as well as the possibility of deliberate or accidental release of pathologic infectious agents? The contributors to this book, all of whom are international experts, probe the ethical, social, economic and political foundations and consequences of programs of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for infectious diseases. It must be read by the wide audience involved in these issues - policy makers, academics, physicians and scientists, and the general public.' Harvey Rubin, University of Pennsylvania, USA 'The emergence of infectious disease as a security threat raises a series of ethical questions, which are too often overlooked. This important volume establishes not only the significance of these questions, but their range and underpinning philosophies. As such it is essential reading for both practitioners and academics interested in this field.' Colin McInnes, Aberystwyth University, UK 'As infectious disease control measures garner more and more attention from policymakers and academics, Enemark and Selgelid's volume is particularly timely and vital. Bringing together experts from a wide variety of disciplines, they provide a comprehensive overview of the ethical, security, economic, and health challenges that disease outbreaks present - and do so in a clear, lucid, and easily understood manner'. Jeremy Youde, University of Minnesota Duluth, USA 'Infectious diseases do not recognize national borders. However, nation states are organized to respond to the challenges of epidemics by securing national interest. In light of recent controversies regarding the oversight, regulation and biosecurity implications of H5N1 mutation research, this volume could not be more timely or relevant as it examines the intricate, complex and difficult issues at the interface of bioethics and security as related to infectious disease control. It is essential reading for all involved in global public health and infectious disease control.' Ross Upshur, University of Toronto, Canada 'There is a lot to commend this book for... It asks the right questions about our future capacity to respond to an emergent pandemic; and it does go some way in tackling the more fundamental concerns, that, in terms of preparedness, we are just not there yet. It should be included in any public health syllabus; recommended reading for public health workers; and essential reading for policymakers who may not fully appreciate the implications of the "securitization" of public health responses.' Asian Bioethics Review 'Combining analysis of past and present health policy, this book innovatively collates some interesting perspectives on security and ethical aspects of infectious disease control. ... It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore security and ethics in relation to disease control. The growing concern brought to mind by SARS and swine flu, alongside the longer histories of HIV/AIDS and cholera, has raised new questions in a globalised world. Can we rely on scientists, medical men, governments and international bodies to provide security? Can we guarantee this security, if provided, will be managed ethically and to the benefit of all? Is there a balance between security and liberty that can be implemented? In conclusion, it is clear from this volume that there are not any simple answers to the questions posed at the beginning. However, by bringing together scholars from multiple disciplines and sharing ideas, this volume provides some useful (namely policy-oriented) insights and opens up further avenues for research into the themes.' The Round Table 'This new book succeeds in broadening the scope of traditional public health frameworks and in opening up new lines of discourse across the interdisciplinary themes of health, politics, security studies, international relations, law, and ethics. ... Ethics and Security Aspects of Infectious Disease Control provides a strong academic basis for future discussion and debate on these interdisciplinary themes, and many of its core messages should also be used to re-evaluate our current policies and practices in relation to emerging pathogens. By highlighting the potential risks implicit in framing infectious diseases simply as a type of 'security threat', this book provides insights into the ways in which we should prepare for and respond to future epidemics.' Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
