(Un)stated assumptions: values, ethics, and the System of Radiological Protection

Abstract

The issues of what is ‘safe’ and what is an ‘unreasonable risk’ pre-occupy regulators each and every day. Western science alone is inadequate as a guide. Good advice and good decision-making require consideration of Western science in tandem with traditional knowledge, our personal and organisational ethics and values, and our shared experiences. As the global information environment grows increasingly complex, it is more crucial than ever that international organisations, such as ICRP, and national regulators, such as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, are clear about their ethical guideposts and their core values. Clarity in these anchors allows policy makers and regulators to communicate the rationale for decisions more clearly, and to combat disinformation and misinformation more effectively – a challenge that demands action from us all. As we look towards revising the System of Radiological Protection and implementing it in international and national regulatory systems around the world, codifying and communicating our underpinning assumptions will clearly enhance our credibility and trust, and will enable more effective combination of the guidance offered by the System of Radiological Protection with relevant national considerations, including factors such as societal risk tolerance and indigenous knowledge.