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Emerging Infectious Diseases

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The Covid-19 Pandemic and Global Bioethics

Part of the book series: Advancing Global Bioethics ((AGBIO,volume 18))

Abstract

Warnings about new pandemics have been issued for decades. Every 8 months, a new infectious disease emerges. The cautionary discourse of emerging infections focuses on preparedness. Already in 2005, the WHO urged countries to make national bio-preparedness plans. The Covid-19 pandemic, nonetheless, overwhelmed countries; policies are late and incoherent, basic materials such as tests, face masks and protective equipment are scarce. Another consequence of the emerging diseases discourse which is often not articulated by policy-makers is prevention. Once the pandemic is expanding, attention concentrates on treatment and care, as well as the search for vaccines and drugs. Efforts will be directed at mitigating the effects of the new disease rather than exploring its origins. As discussed in this chapter, human beings and the natural world are fundamentally interdependent. Humans are enveloped in a virosphere. Viruses are indispensable for the evolution and continuation of life. When the current pandemic has waned, humanity will inevitably be affected by new infectious diseases. What is necessary is more awareness of the ecological perspective on health and disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioethics, Anahuac University, Mexico City, Mexico

    Henk ten Have

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ten Have, H. (2022). Emerging Infectious Diseases. In: The Covid-19 Pandemic and Global Bioethics. Advancing Global Bioethics, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91491-2_3

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