Ethics & Law · single question
Community water fluoridation violates which bioethical principles?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Both Autonomy AND Beneficence are violated
✓ C) Both Autonomy AND Beneficence are violated by mandatory water fluoridation.
Community water fluoridation ethical controversy: AUTONOMY violated = individuals cannot choose whether to receive fluoride or not — they cannot opt out of their municipal water supply (lack of individual consent). BENEFICENCE may also be questioned = some argue adding chemicals to public water without individual consent violates the concept of 'doing good' for individuals. However, from a PUBLIC HEALTH perspective, fluoridation is a beneficent act at the POPULATION level. This is a classic public health ethics tension: population benefit vs. individual autonomy. Both principles are at tension.
Community water fluoridation ethical controversy: AUTONOMY violated = individuals cannot choose whether to receive fluoride or not — they cannot opt out of their municipal water supply (lack of individual consent). BENEFICENCE may also be questioned = some argue adding chemicals to public water without individual consent violates the concept of 'doing good' for individuals. However, from a PUBLIC HEALTH perspective, fluoridation is a beneficent act at the POPULATION level. This is a classic public health ethics tension: population benefit vs. individual autonomy. Both principles are at tension.