Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2014. Vol. 59. No. 2. P. 68-76

DISCUSSION

E. Melikhova

Social Acceptability of Nuclear Power and Moral Dilemmas of Radiation Protection

Nuclear Safety Institute of RAS, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Long-term polarization of public opinion regarding the future of nuclear power in many EU countries as well as stable opposition by the Russian residents to a proposal for a new NPP building close to them indicates that the public dialogue came to a deadlock. The reason, according to Belgian philosopher Gaston Meskens, is that the key issues of the public discussion such as sever accidents, nuclear waste and non-proliferation are nearly related to risks, and social acceptability of risk means its moral acceptability. To break the deadlock the nuclear professionals need to study moral values underlying their arguments and turn from declarations of “openness and transparency” to public reflexivity with regard to the moral issues. Following this logic we suggest to start with the ethical studies of radiation safety approach. In recent years radiological community has being showing an interest for formalization of the ethical principles that underpin the system of radiation protection. Among a number of moral problems in the field there is a dilemma most appropriate for public reflexivity – ALARA principle along with the linear no-threshold (LNT) model. Use of LNT model in low-dose range is morally right in deontological ethics (ethics of duty) while rejection of LNT model is morally right from the point of utilitarian ethics. LNT is a matter of sharp scholarly disputes. However the moral dilemma of such type can’t be solved within professional community. If a dilemma affects interests of many people outside the professional circle it is a case for applied ethics. Collaboration between radiation protectors and moral philosophers in conceptualization and analysis of LNT dilemma and other moral problems of radiation safety approach is needed to provide scientifically grounded platform for constructive public discussions, strict and clear argumentation. Those moral philosophers might be engaged in the public reflexivity, participate in ethical commissions which become rather popular among authorities as decision making advisors in extreme and complicated circumstances.

Key words: nuclear power, public dialogue, risks, public reflexivity, radiation protection, linear non-threshold hypothesis, moral values, applied ethics