The Ethics of Deliberate Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 to Induce Immunity.

ABSTRACT: We explore the ethics of deliberately exposing consenting adults to SARS-CoV-2 to induce immunity to the virus ('DEI' for short). We explain what a responsible DEI program might look like. We explore a consequentialist argument for DEI according to which DEI is a viable harm-reduction strategy. Then we consider a nonconsequentialist argument for DEI that draws on the moral significance of consent. Additionally, we consider arguments for the view that DEI is unethical on the grounds that, given that large-scale DEI would be highly likely to result in some severe illnesses and deaths, DEI amounts to a form of killing. Our thesis is that incorporating a DEI program alongside the status quo 'calibrate the curve' responses could have significant advantages at the early stages of pandemics. Thes

SUBMITTER: Streiffer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8014061 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature