Connecting the dots between history, ethics & science is crucial for the health and well-being of future generations.
“Connecting the dots” encourages toxicologist to organize information so that all people can understand the decision-making process that is meant to protect health and prevent disability and disease.
We have tremendous amounts of data that are often not used well in making decisions that keep communities safe from harmful toxicity.
Science represents the facts and this means all the facts. There needs to be transparency and veracity of all the facts, but there needn't be excessive studies or directionless research.
History is critical to understanding how we got to where we are. For example, 2000 years ago we knew that lead exposure “makes the mind give way." Lead-based paint was banned in Europe by the league of nations in the 1920s.
Ethics provides guidance and a moral compass for decision making that is protective of health. How does the precautionary principle enter into decision making? Children have a right to an environment free of exposure to harmful substances so they can reach and maintain their full potential.
My book, “A Small Dose of Toxicology,” provides basic information that will assist people in discovering and organizing information that will direct policy toward a healthy environment, safer workplaces, and less toxic homes.
of course, a "connecting the dots" approach to making change is not just for the field of toxicology.
There are many fields and industries where a more seamless union of science, history and ethics need to converge for real change to take place. Below are thoughts on the role each aspect of "Connecting the Dots" plays in effective changemaking.