St Mary’s University Twickenham London
At a glance Food Irradiation: Necessary and Safe? Assisted Dying: A Cautionary Tale from Belgium Theology Meets Medicine Meeting the Contemporary Challenges of Mental Health
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 www.smuc.ac.uk
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CBETBulletin
Newsletter for the Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies
on the Chemical Safety of Irradiation of Food’, that was generally favourable to irradiation. Foods which are currently irradiated in some European countries include poultry and dried herbs, and other foods are now under consideration.
Objections and Counter-Objections Among the objections given by various consumer bodies, advocacy groups and individuals are that irradiation may degrade the food product (impacting on flavour and texture), may inadvertently produce radiolytic breakdownproducts harmful to human health, and may cause the dangerous mutation of bacteria through DNA damage.
Food Irradiation: Necessary and Safe? Prof Geoffrey Hunt
Furthermore, there is evidence that irradiation decreases the vitamin levels in the food. Indirectly, it may generate the ‘moral hazard’ of lowering hygiene and food quality levels since there may arise the tendency to irradiate food that would otherwise have been considered unfit for human consumption. The handling, transport and disposal of radioactive materials presents some hazards
Director of the Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies
(especially to the workers involved) that would need to be expertly and expensively managed. All of these objections have been met by counter-
The global population is now over seven billion people
radiation from a source such as Cobalt-60 in order to
arguments from industry and many food scientists. These
and will reach 9.3 billion by 2050, pushing up food
disinfest, sterilise or preserve food. It is intended to
include the following: that food irradiation addresses a
demand by about 60%. At present 868 million individuals
reduce risk from pathogens in food, including E. coli,
pressing need; that the process is very fast, efficient and
are under-nourished, while at the same time an estimated
salmonella and Listeria. This technology, considered in
economical; that it may prolong shelf-life; that irradiation
one-third of all food produced in the world is wasted.
isolation from other considerations, saves the lives of
can usefully delay the ripening or sprouting of fruits and
Even in the U.K. the official estimates are that 5.6 million
many thousands of people each year by increasing the
vegetables and replace the need for chemical pesticides,
people live in deep poverty, and ‘food banks’ for the
production of food and cutting waste. However, looked
and has other environmental advantages over
needy are proliferating while at the same time 15 million
at in a wider context, and in terms of scientific detail,
alternatives; that it is a particularly useful technology in
tonnes of food is wasted every year. And not all of this
certain ethical questions arise that require full attention
poorer countries that have high pathogenic risks; that the
comes from supermarkets – half of it is discarded by
from all stakeholders.
degradation of food by irradiation has been exaggerated
households. The reduction of food waste is a pressing
On the official level all is well. Independent scientific
ethical issue. What can be done? While this is largely a
research on the subject has been extensive, supporting
matter of human compassion and political will,
the endorsement of food irradiation by the US Food and
Public opinion
technological answers are offered and one of these is
Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department
In the domain of public discourse about food safety the
food irradiation. However, adequate public consultation
of Agriculture and the World Health Organization (WHO)
scientific arguments are often by-passed, with industry
and understanding are missing.
as ‘a safe and effective process for the production of
and commerce using persuasive techniques to assuage
wholesome food’. The European Food Safety Authority
what they perceive as irrational fears generated by
Food irradiation (also called ‘cold pasteurisation’) is the process of very briefly exposing food to ionizing
(EFSA), published a report in 2011, ‘A Scientific Opinion
or is no more harmful than the alternative methods.
Continued page 2 >
CBET Bulletin Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 | 1
Food Irradiation: Necessary and Safe? Continued from page 1 ... association with ‘radioactivity’ and accidents in relation to
current labelling is inadequate. Clearly, the public should
9(4):1930. Available at:
nuclear energy, as well as military applications.
be consulted and better informed about food
www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1930.htm;
Unfortunately, many consumers suspect that irradiated
technologies including irradiation, and the question
Hayes, D. J., J. A. Fox, and J. F. Shogren (2002) ’Experts
food is radioactive and that a food-irradiation plant is a
remains how this is to be achieved.
and Activists: How Information Affects the Demand for
mini nuclear plant – both of which are completely false.
Food Irradiation’, Food Policy, 27:185– 193; Hunter, C.
The Alliance for Natural Health (www.anhinternational.org)
Summary of a talk given by Prof Hunt to polymer
(2000) ‘Changing Attitudes to Irradiation Throughout the
is an example of an NGO strongly opposed to food
technologists in Wädenswil, Switzerland on 21st March
Food Chain’, Radiation Physics & Chemistry,
irradiation. No doubt there are some well-founded
2013 under the auspices of St Mary’s University’s
57:239–243; Senhui He et al (2005), ‘Unwillingness to
concerns that must be addressed.
partnership in the European Commission’s Cooperation
Consume Irradiated Beef and Unwillingness to Pay for
in Science & Technology (COST) project, FA-0904.
Beef Irradiation’, Journal of Food Distribution Research
In the USA and some other countries labelling regulations require the usage of the ‘Radura’ symbol at
36(1), 71- 78; Public Citizen (2003) ‘Food Irradiation and
the point of sale, together with usage of the word
Reading: EFSA (2011), ‘Scientific Opinion on the
Global Trade’, Washington DC, www.citizen.org/cmep
"irradiated" or "treated by irradiation". Some claim that
Chemical Safety of Irradiation of Food’, EFSA Journal
[founded by Ralph Nader, with 150,000 members].
Assisted Dying: A Cautionary Tale from Belgium Prof David Jones Lord Falconer, a former Lord Chancellor, tabled a bill in
fateful step. Currently only five countries have legalised
the House of Lords in May 2013 which would legalise
euthanasia or assisted suicide: Switzerland, the
‘assisted dying’. It is likely to be debated this summer,
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and a handful of
perhaps as early as June. In November 2013 the veteran
states in the United States of America. The Northern
Scottish politician Margo MacDonald MSP introduced an
Territory of Australia briefly legalised euthanasia but this
Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill. Margo MacDonald died
law was then overturned at federal level.
early this year but the debate on her bill will go ahead,
Of these countries, most scholarly research has
probably in the autumn. Both Falconer (in 2009) and
focused on the Netherlands or on the American state of
MacDonald (in 2010) had made previous attempts to
Oregon, and in the United Kingdom most media interest
change the law but in both cases these were defeated in
focuses on Switzerland (because of the Britons who
cover children. Children who are dying of a terminal
free votes, as was the third of three attempts by Lord
travel there to commit suicide). However, while
disease will now be offered the choice of lethal injection.
Joffe to introduce ‘assisted dying’ in 2005. Thus far
euthanasia in Belgium has been relatively overlooked
Such a radical departure from palliative care practice has
parliamentarians both sides of the border have remained
both by scholars and in the popular media, the country
sent shock waves throughout the world. These children
sceptical.
now has over ten years’ experience of legal euthanasia
are considered too young to vote or to marry, to buy
and provides an important cautionary tale.
alcohol or watch certain films. In various ways the state
There are various technical differences between these various bills. In Joffe’s 2003 Assisted Dying Bill and in
In 2002 Belgium followed its northern neighbour and
Margo MacDonald’s 2010 End of Life Assistance Bill,
legalised euthanasia. The law was controversial from the
even from their parents, and sometimes also from
‘assisted dying’ was a euphemism for both for assisting
beginning and it was argued that the first case, a man
themselves. And yet, in Belgium a request from a child
suicide and for euthanasia, that is, for mercy-killing. In an
who had campaigned in favour of the law, did not in fact
with no lower age limit, could be grounds for deliberately
attempt to hone down the thin end of this particular
fulfil the legal criteria. Since that time Belgium has
ending that child's life.
wedge, the current bills of MacDonald and Falconer use
produced a series of controversial cases, especially in
assisted dying only to mean assisting suicide.
more recent years: euthanasia of life-prisoners,
is therefore collaborating with the Scottish Council on
Nevertheless, the differences between these bills in their
euthanasia of someone who regretted having gender-
Human Bioethics on a report to draw attention to what is
various iterations are less significant than the similarities.
reassignment surgery, euthanasia on the grounds of
happening in Belgium before steps are taken in this
All these bills are recognised as much by advocates as
anorexia nervosa, euthanasia of twins who were deaf and
country which could produce a similar culture shift. If
much as by opponents as representing a major cultural
who were afraid they would go blind. Belgium has also
anyone doubts the danger that legalising ‘assisted dying’
change. They represent the final rejection of the
begun the practice of taking organs for transplantation
could lead to a slippery slope, they need to look at the
Hippocratic understanding of medicine in that they would
from people after euthanasia. Such actions simply
changes occurring in Belgium. CBET is also hoping to
permit doctors to give ‘a lethal draft’ with the aim of
reinforce the impression that such patients are worth
host a conference on this topic in November 2014,
ending the lives of their patients.
more to society by their deaths than by remaining alive.
details to follow in subsequent newsletters.
As England and Scotland consider whether to cross
acts to protect children and young people from others,
The Centre for Bioethics and Emerging Technologies
Perhaps the most overt example showing that
the ethical Rubicon it is worth considering the experience
legalising euthanasia has set Belgium on a ‘slippery
Prof David Jones is Director of the Anscombe Centre,
of those few countries in the world that have taken this
slope’ is the decision taken this year to extend the law to
Oxford and Visiting Professor at St Mary’s University.
Democratising Technology Development St Mary’s University was represented at a Cooperation on
finalised with this meeting attended by over a dozen
Standardisation, and Science-society dialogue’ Prof Hunt
Science & Technology (COST) meeting of European
European country representatives. Prof Geoffrey Hunt,
also presented a report to COST officials to sum up the
polymer and nanotechnology experts in Rome on 26th-
director of CBET, a specialist in the ethical dimensions of
group’s achievements. The meeting took place at Italy’s
28th February 2014. CBET has been an active partner in
new technologies, presented a keynote paper on ‘The
national research body, Il Consiglio Nazionale delle
this four year programme, ‘Eco-sustainable food
Convergence of New Food Technologies: Social & Ethical
Ricerche, in the heart of Rome and next to the Sapienza
packaging based on polymer nanomaterials’, which was
Issues’. As chairperson of the Working Group on ‘Ethics,
Università di Roma.
2 | CBET Bulletin Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014
Theology meets Medicine Dr Andrew Sloane present a brief description of the contexts (both ‘Western’ and ‘non-Western’) in which medicine is practiced in early
Biomedical Ethics Activities
twenty-first century, identifying key problems and challenges that medicine must address in those contexts
On 15th October 2013 Prof Calum MacKellar, Visiting
of abundance and scarcity. It will then address issues in
Professor in Bioethics, delivered a public lecture at St
contemporary bioethics (euthanasia and organ
Mary’s entitled ‘The Emperor’s New Genes: Are we
transplantation), demonstrating how the debate is rooted
entering a new eugenic age?’. With the relentless
in conflicting visions of the nature of medicine (and so
development of new reproductive procedures, questions
human existence).
are now being asked whether a new age of eugenics has
This will lead to a discussion of some of the
Dr Andrew Sloane, a medically qualified theologian and bioethicist from Morling College, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia is spending a six month sabbatical at St Mary’s. During this time he is working on his third book which addresses the theological-philosophical basis of medicine. We invited Dr Sloane to write and share some of his current thinking on this topic.
come into existence. Prof MacKellar’s lecture addressed
philosophical and theological resources currently available
the question of whether it is appropriate to compare the
for those who would reflect ‘Christianly’ on medicine,
present situation to the eugenic ideals that were widely
using the lenses of medical knowing, the concept of
supported at the beginning of the 20th century and what
‘health’ and its role in shaping medicine and medical
lessons could be learned from the past and their
practice, and a phenomenological perspective on health
relevance to today’s new world of genetic engineering.
and medicine to gain some clarity on broader issues. The bulk of the book will consist of an articulation of a
Over recent months Dr Trevor Stammers has undertaken a number of media appearances related to
Christian understanding of medicine as both a scholarly
medical ethics issues. In January as the court case got
and a social practice, articulating the philosophical-
underway of Beth Warren, the widow fighting to prevent
theological framework which informs this perspective. It
her dead husband's sperm from being destroyed, Dr
will flesh out features of medicine as an inherently moral
Stammers was interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live on the
practice, one informed by a Christian social vision and
bioethics of the case.
shaped by key theological commitments.
On 17th February he was interviewed by Nick Ferrari on
The book will close by returning to the issues of the
patient data confidentiality on LBC Radio.
context of medicine and of bioethics with which it opened, I’ve come to CBET and St Mary’s to work on a book
demonstrating how a Christian philosophical-theology of
Publications
project looking at a Christian philosophy and theology of
medicine informs and enriches those discussions.
In November 2013 Dr Stammers’ paper on the ethics of
medicine (a project that seems to generate equal measures of consternation and interest).
My current view is that medicine is not best understood as being about health or the alleviation of
elective ventilation was published in The New Bioethics Journal.
So, why that project? I initially trained (and briefly
suffering, as thinking about it in those terms generates
practiced) as a doctor before turning to theology. While
insuperable problems in relation to what can rightly be
American author John Green’s most recent novel, The
I’ve had a diverse range of research interests (ranging
counted as integral to medical practice, and unnecessary
Fault in our Stars, which debuted at number 1 on The
from epistemology through bioethics to Old Testament
dilemmas in areas such as end of life care. It is more
New York Times Best Seller list in January 2012, was
ethics and hermeneutics, I have long had a desire to bring
helpful to see it as a community’s attempt to provide the
also the focus of an article written by Dr Stammers.
the worlds of theology and medicine together. That’s what
care that vulnerable human beings need in those
Published in British Journal of General Practice, the
this project aims to do.
circumstances (physical and psychological) in which our
article addressed the value of medical humanities in the
frailty and finitude are exposed (illness, injury, disability,
training of GPs.
Now, while medical and bioethical issues have spawned a great deal of debate in both public and
and so on). The aim of medicine is not to overcome
academic contexts, little has been done to engage with
human finitude, but to provide care for vulnerable people
Published in the same journal in February 2014 was an
the underlying issues of the nature of medicine and its role
with the aim, where reasonably possible, of returning them
article by Dr Stammers on the use of poetry in teaching
in human community. This book seeks to fill that gap by
to a reasonable level of that functioning-in-community
health care professionals.
providing Christian philosophical and theological
which is fundamental to human existence and without
reflections on the nature and purposes of medicine and its
which there can be no real human flourishing. This, it
role in a Christian understanding of human society.
seems to me, provides both a more ‘human’ approach to
The book will provide two main ‘doorways’ into a Christian philosophical-theology of medicine. First, it will
medicine, and one that both is nourished by and in turn
Climate Change: Is Nursing Prepared?
nourishes a Christian view of the world.
Prof Geoff Hunt gave a lecture on ‘Climate Change: what does it mean for nursing’, on 25th September 2013, at the
Democratising Technology Development Continued ... Hunt’s presentation drew attention to state-of-the-art
University of Surrey for the postgraduate nursing programme at the invitation of Prof Ann Gallagher. His
food supplies due to climate change and population
editorial in ‘Nursing Ethics’ journal, ‘Climate Change and
food technologies including pulsed electric field, ohmic
growth. Technologists needed to work together under
Health’, (2006) 13:6, pp 569-70, was the first time explicit
heating, oscillating magnetic field, intense light pulses,
clear human welfare policies and consider how
links had been made between new health demands of
cold plasma, power ultra-sound, high hydrostatic
innovative technologies could converge rather than
climate change and the lack of international preparedness
pressure and polymer nanomaterials. The public is
remain in separate ‘silos’. An example he gave was the
of nursing to meet such demands. That editorial was
almost completely unaware of such developments, he
need for a coordinated programme on the potential for
followed by an invitation to give The Mary Seacole
said.
bringing together new polymer nanomaterials and food
Memorial Lecture on this now pressing subject at the
He urged that such innovations be more oriented to
irradiation in a more democratic decision-making
Royal College of Nursing’s annual congress in April 2007.
playing a significant part in contemporary critical issues
process that involved the public and is from the outset
This year Hunt has been approached by senior nurses in
such as alternative energy and the growing pressure on
more cognisant of safety and environmental issues.
Slovenia to collaborate on this global issue.
CBET Bulletin Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 | 3
CBET resident staff
Meeting the Contemporary Challenges of Mental Health
Dr Pia Matthews My students who are healthcare practitioners have often
interest in the interface between spirituality, psychology
discussed with me their real concerns. It turns out these
and religion. He spoke of the fragility of the mind, like
Technology ethics
concerns have matched the interest shown by staff and
the iridescent butterfly, and the care needed when
Prof Geoffrey Hunt CBET Director and Professorial Research Fellow Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 2311 Email: huntg@smuc.ac.uk
by the leadership team of St Mary’s University in one
involved in the dance between the said and the unsaid
particular area: that of mental health. The current
in mental health practice. The practitioner is one who
nationwide initiative of ‘no health without mental health’,
facilitates, who does not impose his or her own
which means that mental health concerns all of us, has
interpretation of how things are, in order to ‘help the fly
Dr Yasemin J. Erden Lecturer in Philosophy Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk
had reverberations through all the different levels in St
make its way out of the bottle’, as it were. After an
Mary’s. On the Foundation Degree we incorporated
opportunity for questions Julia Head, Mental Health
aspects of mental health into the Bioethics modules.
Chaplain at the Maudsley Hospital, led into a reflective
However, it soon became clear that a broader approach
practice session and it soon became apparent that all
Dr Stephen Rainey Research Fellow in Philosophy Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: stephen.rainey@smuc.ac.uk
was the way forward. With added impetus from Bishop
present had much to say on why mental health should
Moth (Chair of Governors) and from Arthur Naylor
have a more prominent profile in academia and in
(Interim Principal) I began a conversation for ways
general discussion forums. To follow Peter’s penchant
forward with people outside as well as inside St Mary’s.
for insect analogy, lunch was buzzing with networking,
As a Catholic Foundation Institution we at St Mary’s
with sharing experiences and with trading ideas for ways
have rich insights to share with others, based on ways in
forward.
Biomedicine ethics
which we can fulfil our mission as church to the world.
At the start of the afternoon session the incoming
Dr Trevor Stammers Programme Director in Bioethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4310 Email: stammerst@smuc.ac.uk
The Church is well known for having particular concern
Vice-Chancellor Designate Francis Campbell, said a few
for people who are marginalised in society, including
words about the interest the conference had obviously
those with mental health issues.
generated. Turning specifically to theology, I spoke about
Additional staff
by two of St Mary’s research centres, InSpiRe and
the image of God. I drew attention to the differing
CBET, was held on Saturday 26th April. Entitled
interpretations of the image of God both for God and for
Contemporary Challenges in Mental Health Ministry the
human beings made in God’s image pointing out how
conference raised awareness of mental health issues
some interpretations are more helpful than others in
such as stigma and discrimination. Following Arthur
some situations where mental health is fragile. Peter and
Naylor’s opening, Dr Anthony Towey (Academic Director
Anthony then took a plenary session to plot a way
of the Aquinas Centre), provided a thread of continuity
forward. In keeping with the commitment to serve
between the speakers and facilitated a clear sense of
human flourishing in all its aspects and to be open to
ownership for all those present. In his welcome speech
the wider community, we at St Mary’s hope to establish
Dr Pia Matthews Lecturer in Healthcare Ethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: pia.matthews@smuc.ac.uk
Bishop Moth, explained his involvement with the
a hub from which we can offer further conferences,
Catholic Bishops’ Conference Mental Health Project. He
study days and short courses. In this way St Mary's will
pointed to some important initiatives that were springing
continue to be leaven in the world by carrying out its
from the Mental Health Project, including one that uses
mission in the much neglected area of mental health.
Prof Rodney Taylor Visiting Professor Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: taylorr@smuc.ac.uk
music and choir membership to build up a sense of
The next symposium will be in October.
Ms Elena Driver Visiting Research Associate Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: elena.driver@smuc.ac.uk
the Director of InSpiRe. Peter is well known for his
Prof David Albert Jones Visiting Professor of Bioethics Email: director@bioethics.org.uk Dr Wendy Hiscox Lecturer in Medical Law Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: w_hiscox@yahoo.co.uk
Mr Matthew James CBET Administrator Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: jamesm@smuc.ac.uk Prof Calum MacKellar Visiting Professor of Bioethics Email: calum.mackellar@schb.org.uk
Our inaugural conference on mental health hosted
belonging and purpose for people with mental health issues. The key note speech was given by Dr Peter Tyler,
Dr Pia Matthews is Programme Director of the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Ethics and a lecturer on the MA programme in Bioethics and Medical Law.
The New Bioethics Journal Update It has been quite a while since CBET Bulletin has carried
subscribers at http://essential.metapress.com/content/
an update on CBET’s journal The New Bioethics. We are
122857. Alternatively, institutions can trial the journal for
pleased to say that in early 2013 Maney Publications
free by contacting Charlie Lawrence at c.lawrence@
took on the production of the journal and oversaw the
maneypublishing.com. If you would like to recommend
change of title from Human Reproduction and Genetic
the journal to your librarian, you can do so by using
Ethics with effect from Volume 18:1. Five issues later, the
Maney’s online recommendation form at
journal has increased its circulation substantially,
www.maneyonline.com/recommend.
especially overseas and is now part of several library
Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies St Mary's University Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill Twickenham TW1 4SX
a theology for mental health based around the idea of
The next issue out later this year will be another
packages available from Maney including those for Health
special issue dedicated to papers presented at the
Science as well as for Philosophy, Religion and Theology.
interdisciplinary symposium The 21st Century Body
Over the next two years we would like to see the number of subscriptions increase in universities and other
Reloaded held at University College London last November.
HEIs in the UK as well as overseas. Do have a look at the
Tel: 020 8240 4250 Fax: 020 8240 2362 www.smuc.ac.uk/cbet 4 | CBET Bulletin Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014
Journal’s new website www.maneyonline.com/loi/nbi.
Dr Trevor Stammers is New Bioethics Editor and
Sample articles are available immediately to non-
Programme Director in Bioethics and Medical Law.