'Iraq Water Treatment Vulnerabilities': a Challenge to Public Health Ethics

Authors: MacQueen G.¹; Nagy T.²; Santa Barbara J.¹; Raichle C.³

Source: Medicine, Conflict and Survival, Volume 20, Number 2, April-June 2004 , pp. 109-119(11)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

A formerly classified US document, 'Iraq Water Treatment Vulnerabilities,' provides evidence that ill health was knowingly induced in the population of Iraq through the ruination of that country's water purification system. We believe that the uncovering of this document should stimulate the public health community to clarify principles of public health ethics and to formulate statements giving voice to these principles. We propose here two statements, one dealing with the broad issue of public health ethics and international relations, and one dealing specifically with public health ethics and water purification.

Keywords: Ethics; Iraq; Public health; Sanctions; United States; Water-borne disease; Water supply

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1362369042000234708

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Peace Studies McMaster University Hamilton Canada 2: Management Science Department George Washington University Washington DC USA 3: University of Ulm Germany

Publication date: 2004-04-01