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Responsibility in the age of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and epigenetics

Part of: Advancing the DOHaD Agenda in Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2017

H. Ismaili M’hamdi ,
I. de Beaufort ,
B. Jack  and
E. A. P. Steegers
H. Ismaili M’hamdi*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
I. de Beaufort
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
B. Jack
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, USA
E. A. P. Steegers
Affiliation:
Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: H. Ismaili M’hamdi, Medical Ethics and Philosophy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands. (Email h.ismailimhamdi@erasmusmc.nl)
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Abstract

Insights from the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease paradigm and epigenetics are elucidating the biological pathways through which social and environmental signals affect human health. These insights prompt a serious debate about how the structure of society affects health and what the responsibility of society is to counteract health inequalities. Unfortunately, oversimplified interpretations of insights from Developmental Origins of Health and Disease and epigenetics may be (mis)used to focus on the importance of individual responsibility for health rather than the social responsibility for health. In order to advance the debate on responsibility for health, we present an ethical framework to determine the social responsibility to counteract health inequalities. This is particularly important in a time where individual responsibility often justifies a passive response from policymakers.

Keywords

DOHaDepigeneticsethicsjusticeresponsibility
Type
Brief Report
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 9 , Issue 1: Themed Issue: DOHaD AFRICA , February 2018 , pp. 58 - 62
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2017 

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