Ethical basis of policy-making

Below is an excerpt from the above article by A.G ROMUALDEZ JR., M.D.

An article in The Lancet, a leading international medical and public health journal, has accused the government of Canada of hypocrisy in its policies regarding the asbestos industry. Asbestos, established as a cause of mesothelioma (a deadly form of lung cancer), has long been banned for use in construction in almost all developed countries – including Canada. Nevertheless, that country is still one of the world’s major exporters of the lethal material to countries that still allow its use – such as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Because the link between mesothelioma and chrysotile (a generic term name for asbestos) was not fully established and accepted until the 60s, past occupational exposure, even in developed countries has resulted in a continuing rise in the incidence of cases. As an example, the article states, “In the UK, the mesothelioma death toll has increased from 895 in 1990 to 2249 in 2008. It could be a decade before cases begin to fall again.”

In this light, our health regulatory must review current policies that allow the Philippines to continue importing asbestos from the world’s biggest producers like Canada, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The Philippines should also support attempts – long resisted by these supplier countries – to include chrysotile in the Rotterdam Convention (a list of controlled substances maintained by the United Nations).

source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/12152010/edromuald.html