UK health researchers’ considerations of the environmental impacts of their data-intensive practices and its relevance to health inequities | BMC Medical Ethics
Lenzen M, Malik A, Li M, Fry J, Weisz H, Pichler P-P, et al. The environmental footprint of health care: a global assessment. Lancet Planet Health. 2020;4(7):e271–e9.
Google Scholar
Pichler P-P, Jaccard IS, Weisz U, Weisz H. International comparison of health care carbon footprints. Environ Res Lett. 2019;14(6):064004.
Google Scholar
Peng Y, Wu P, Schartup AT, Zhang Y. Plastic waste release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021;118(47):e2111530118.
Hodges S. Hospitals as factories of medical garbage. Anthropol Med. 2017;24(3):319–33.
Google Scholar
Greever C, Ramirez-Aguilar K, Connelly J. Connections between laboratory research and climate change: what scientists and policy makers can do to reduce environmental impacts. FEBS Lett. 2020;594(19):3079–85.
Google Scholar
Knödlseder J, Brau-Nogué S, Coriat M, Garnier P, Hughes A, Martin P, et al. Estimate of the carbon footprint of astronomical research infrastructures. Nat Astronomy. 2022;6(4):503–13.
Google Scholar
EPA. Laboratories for the 21st Century: An Introduction to Low-Energy Design. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Administration and Resources Management in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. 2008. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/29413.pdf.
Urbina MA, Watts AJR, Reardon EE. Labs should cut plastic waste too. Nature. 2015;528(7583):479.
Google Scholar
Bull JW, Taylor I, Biggs E, Grub HMJ, Yearley T, Waters H, et al. Analysis: the biodiversity footprint of the University of Oxford. Nature. 2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01034-1.
Freitag C, Berners-Lee M, Widdicks K, Knowles B, Blair GS, Friday A. The real climate and transformative impact of ICT: a critique of estimates, trends, and regulations. Patterns. 2021;2(9):100340.
Google Scholar
Ruckenstein M, Schüll ND. The datafication of Health. Annu Rev Anthropol. 2017;46(1):261–78.
Google Scholar
Morozov E. To save everything, click Here: the Folly of Technological Solutionism. New York: PublicAffairs; 2013.
Rae CL, Farley M, Jeffery KJ, Urai AE. Climate crisis and ecological emergency: why they concern (neuro)scientists, and what we can do. Brain and Neuroscience Advances. 2022;6:23982128221075430.
Google Scholar
Grealey J, Lannelongue L, Saw W-Y, Marten J, Meric G, Ruiz-Carmona S et al. The carbon footprint of bioinformatics. bioRxiv. 2021:2021.03.08.434372.
IPCC. Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental panel on climate change. Intergovernmental panel on climate change. ; 2022. https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/.
World Health Organisation. Climate Change and Health. 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health.
WHO. Soaring e-waste affects the health of millions of children, WHO warns 2021 [Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-06-2021-soaring-e-waste-affects-the-health-of-millions-of-children-who-warns.
Lepawsky J. Reassembling rubbish: Worlding electronic waste: MITPress; 2018.
Trueba ML, Bhutta MF, Shahvisi A. Instruments of health and harm: how the procurement of healthcare goods contributes to global health inequality. J Med Ethics. 2021;47(6):423.
Google Scholar
Samuel G, Richie C. Reimagining research ethics to include environmental sustainability: a principled approach, including a case study of data-driven health research. J Med Ethics. 2022:jme–2022.
Jameton A, Pierce J. The Ethics of Environmentally Responsible Health Care. UK: Oxford University Press; 2004.
Foster A, Cole J, Farlow A, Petrikova I. Planetary Health Ethics: Beyond First principles. Challenges [Internet]. 2019;10(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/challe10010014.
Emanuel EJ, Wendler D, Grady C. An ethical framework for biomedical research. In: Emanuel EJ, Grady C, Crouch RA, Lie R, Miller FG, Wendler D, editors. The Oxford textbook of clinical research ethics. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 2008. pp. 123–35.
Dwyer J. How to connect bioethics and environmental ethics: health, sustainability, and justice. Bioethics. 2009;23(9):497–502.
Google Scholar
Jennings V, Yun J, Larson L. Finding Common Ground: Environmental Ethics, Social Justice, and a Sustainable Path for Nature-Based Health Promotion. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 2016;4(3):61.
Lee LM. A Bridge back to the future: Public Health Ethics, Bioethics, and Environmental Ethics. Am J Bioeth. 2017;17(9):5–12.
Google Scholar
Fraser N. Scales of Justice. Cambridge, UK; Malden, US: Polity; 2008.
Young M. Responsbility for Justice. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 2011.
Google Scholar
Richie C. Principles of Green Bioethics. Michigan Michigan State University Press; 2019.
Coolsaet BE. Environmental justice: Key issues. Routledge; 2020.
Pierce J, Jameton A. The Ethics of Environmnetally responsible health care. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2004.
Health Care without Harm. Global Road Map for Health Care Decarbonization 2021. https://noharm-global.org/articles/news/global/our-new-road-map-zero-emissions-health-care.
Brown LH, Buettner PG, Canyon DV. The energy burden and environmental impact of health services. Am J Public Health. 2012;102(12):e76–e82.
Google Scholar
Eckelman MJ, Sherman JD. Estimated Global Disease Burden from US Health Care Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(S2):120–S2.
Google Scholar
Bousema T, Burtscher L, van Rij RP, Barret D, Whitfield K. The critical role of funders in shrinking the carbon footprint of research. Lancet Planet Health. 2022;6(1):e4–e6.
Google Scholar
Cluzel F, Vallet F, Leroy Y, Rebours P. Reflecting on the environmental impact of research activities: an exploratory study. Procedia CIRP. 2020;90:754–8.
Google Scholar
Aldred Cheek K, Wells NM. Changing Behavior Through Design: A Lab Fume Hood Closure Experiment. Front Built Environ. 2020;5:146. 0.3389/fbuil.2019.00146.
Woolliams J, Lloyd M, Spengler JD. The case for sustainable laboratories: first steps at Harvard University. Int J Sustain High Educ. 2005;6(4):363–82.
Google Scholar
Kaplowitz MD, Thorp L, Coleman K, Kwame Yeboah F. Energy conservation attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors in science laboratories. Energy Policy. 2012;50:581–91.
Google Scholar
Ligozat A-L, Névéol A, Daly B, Frenoux E. Ten simple rules to make your research more sustainable. PLoS Comput Biol. 2020;16(9):e1008148.
Google Scholar
Lannelongue L, Grealey J, Bateman A, Inouye M. Ten simple rules to make your computing more environmentally sustainable. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021;17(9):e1009324–e.
Google Scholar
Zimmerman JB, Anastas PT, Erythropel HC, Leitner W. Designing for a green chemistry future. Science. 2020;367(6476):397–400.
Google Scholar
Grimm D. This man wants to Green your lab. Science. 2007;318(5847):39–41.
Google Scholar
Wilkinson E. Reaching net zero carbon emissions in health systems. The Lancet. 2021;398(10315):1953–4.
Google Scholar
McPherson B, Sharip M, Grimmond T. The impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from manufacturing and processing facilities. PeerJ. 2019;7:e6204.
Google Scholar
NHS England. Reducing the use of natural resources in health and social care. UK: Sustainable Development Unit. ; 2018. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://networks.sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/20180912_Health_and_Social_Care_NRF_web.pdf.
Alshqaqeeq F, McGuire C, Overcash M, Ali K, Twomey J. Choosing radiology imaging modalities to meet patient needs with lower environmental impact. Resour Conserv Recycl. 2020;155:104657.
Google Scholar
Ryan SM, Nielsen CJ. Global warming potential of inhaled anesthetics: application to clinical use. Anesth Analgesia. 2010;111(1).
Wilkinson AJK, Braggins R, Steinbach I, Smith J. Costs of switching to low global warming potential inhalers. An economic and carbon footprint analysis of NHS prescription data in England. BMJ Open. 2019;9(10):e028763.
Google Scholar
Moura-Neto JA, Barraclough K, Agar JWM. A call-to-action for sustainability in dialysis in Brazil. Brazilian J Nephrol. 2019;41(4):560–3.
Google Scholar
Thiel CL, Woods NC, Bilec MM. Strategies to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from laparoscopic Surgery. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(S2):158–S64.
Google Scholar
Namburar S, Pillai M, Varghese G, Thiel C, Robin AL. Waste generated during glaucoma Surgery: a comparison of two global facilities. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2018;12:87–90.
Google Scholar
Loh E. Medicine and the rise of the robots: a qualitative review of recent advances of artificial intelligence in health BMJ Leader. 2018. 10.1136/ leader-2018-000071.
Tran BX, Vu GT, Ha GH, Vuong QH, Ho MT, Vuong TT et al. Global Evolution of Research in Artificial Intelligence in Health and Medicine: a bibliometric study. J Clin Med. 2019;8(3).
Hilty LM, Köhler A, Von Schéele F, Zah R, Ruddy T. Rebound effects of progress in information technology. Poiesis Prax. 2006;4(1):19–38.
Google Scholar
Crawford K. Atlas of AI. Yale University Press; 2021.
Forti V, Baldé CP, Kuehr R, Bel G, The Global E-waste, Monitor. 2020: Quantities, f lows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam; 2020. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Environment/Documents/Toolbox/GEM_2020_def.pdf.
Mancini L, Eslava NA, Traverso M, Mathieux F. Assessing impacts of responsible sourcing initiatives for cobalt: insights from a case study. Resour Policy. 2021;71:102015.
Google Scholar
Harris P, Viliani F, Spickett J. Assessing health impacts within environmental impact assessments: an opportunity for public health globally which must not remain missed. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015;12(1):1044–9.
Google Scholar
Schwartz FW, Lee S, Darrah TH. A review of Health issues related to Child Labor and Violence within Artisanal and small-scale mining. Geohealth. 2021;5(2):e2020GH000326.
Google Scholar
Caravanos J, Ericson B, Ponce-Canchihuamán J, Hanrahan D, Block M, Susilorini B, et al. Rapid assessment of environmental health risks posed by mining operations in low- and middle-income countries: selected case studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013;20(11):7711–8.
Google Scholar
Gabrys J. Digital Rubbish. University of Michigan Press; 2012.
Ngo HTT, Watchalayann P, Nguyen DB, Doan HN, Liang L. Environmental health risk assessment of heavy metal exposure among children living in an informal e-waste processing village in Viet Nam. Sci Total Environ. 2021;763:142982.
Google Scholar
Dai Q, Xu X, Eskenazi B, Asante KA, Chen A, Fobil J, et al. Severe dioxin-like compound (DLC) contamination in e-waste recycling areas: an under-recognized threat to local health. Environ Int. 2020;139:105731.
Google Scholar
Singh N, Ogunseitan OA, Tang Y. Systematic review of pregnancy and neonatal health outcomes associated with exposure to e-waste disposal. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2021;51(20):2424–48.
Google Scholar
Leavy S, editor. Gender bias in artificial intelligence: the need for diversity and gender theory in machine learning. ACM/IEEE 1st International Workshop on Gender Equality in Software Engineering; 2018. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.18058.
Strauss AL. Qualitative analysis for social scientists. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1987.
Google Scholar
De Rond M, Miller AN. Publish or perish: bane or Boon of Academic Life? J Manage Inq. 2005;14(4):321–9.
Google Scholar
World Commission On Environment and Development. Our common future. U.S.: Oxford University Press; 1990.
Rushforth A, Franssen T, de Rijcke S. Portfolios of Worth: Capitalizing on Basic and Clinical Problems in Biomedical Research Groups. Science, Technology, & Human Values. 2018;44(2):209 – 36.
Falkenberg RI. Re-invent yourself! How demands for Innovativeness Reshape Epistemic practices. Minerva. 2021;59(4):423–44.
Google Scholar
Sherman JD, Thiel C, MacNeill A, Eckelman MJ, Dubrow R, Hopf H et al. The Green Print: Advancement of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020;161:104882.
Elster D, Barendziak T, Birkholz J. Towards a Sustainable and Open Science: Recommendations for Enhancing Responsible Research and Innovation in the Biosciences at the University of Bremen. 2019. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-00107721-18.
Govaart GH, Hofmann SM, Medawar E. The sustainability argument for Open Science. Collabra: Psychol. 2022;8(1):35903.
Google Scholar
Vazquez-Maguirre M, Portales L. Profits and purpose: Organizational tensions in social enterprises. 2018. 2018;14(4):15.
Smith WK, Gonin M, Besharov ML. Managing Social-Business tensions: a review and research agenda for Social Enterprise. Bus Ethics Q. 2013;23(3):407–42.
Google Scholar
Hudson R. Life on the Edge: navigating the competitive tensions between the ‘Social’ and the ‘Economic’ in the Social Economy and in its relations to the Mainstream. J Econ Geogr. 2009;9(4):493–510.
Google Scholar
Garst J, Blok V, Branzei O, Jansen L, Omta OSWF. Toward a Value-Sensitive Absorptive Capacity Framework: navigating Intervalue and Intravalue conflicts to answer the Societal Call for Health. Bus Soc. 2019;60(6):1349–86.
Google Scholar
Boenink M, Kudina O. Values in responsible research and innovation: from entities to practices. J Responsible Innov. 2020;7(3):450–70.
Google Scholar
Wright HA, Ironside JE, Gwynn-Jones D. The current state of sustainability in bioscience laboratories. Int J Sustain High Educ. 2008;9(3):282–94.
Google Scholar
Brock G. Global Justice, Cosmopolitan duties and duties to compatriots: the case of Healthcare. Public Health Ethics. 2015;8(2):110–20.
Google Scholar
Jones R, Wilsdon JR, Chrome-.extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/133525/1/The-Biomedical-Bubble.pdf.
Bell M, Lewis N. Universities claim to value community-engaged scholarship: so why do they discourage it? Public Underst Sci. 2022:09636625221118779.
Samuel G, Chubb J, Derrick G. Boundaries between Research Ethics and Ethical Research Use in Artificial Intelligence Health Research. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2021;16(3):325–37.
Google Scholar
Wellcome. What researchers think about the culture they work in. London, UK: Wellcome 2020. https://www.google.com/search?q=k1644928%2FDownloads%2Fwhat-researchers-think-about-the-culture-they-work-in.pdf.
MacFarlane M, Samuel G. Addressing the Environmental Impact of (Digital) Health Research Conversations with UK funders Summary Report. London, UK; 2022.
Samuel G, Derrick GE, van Leeuwen T. The Ethics Ecosystem: Personal Ethics, Network Governance and regulating actors governing the Use of Social Media Research Data. Minerva. 2019;57(3):317–43.
Google Scholar
Derrick G. The evaluators’. Eye: Palgrave Macmillan; 2018.
Google Scholar
link
