Radioactive Waste Management: Socio-Ethical Dimensions

Abstract

In the public domain, much of the controversy associated with the management of nuclear wastes centres on its socio-ethical dimensions. In common with most debates of this type, the discussion often loses focus for lack of a practical set of ethical criteria. Previous analyses based on the concepts of justice, participation and sustainability, have not secured clarity or consensus. The Canadian Nuclear Association's Social Issues Committee has attempted to identify and classify social and ethical concerns related to nuclear waste management. This paper presents these concerns in question format under five headings: (1) Rights and Responsibilities, (2) Equity, (3) Trust, (4) Values and (S) Proper Action. Although the paper does not attempt to provide answers to each of the concerns, it is hoped that the classification and listing of concerns will be useful in analyzing issues related to any waste management process.