title: The merger of bioethics and epidemiology.
abstract: The merger of bioethics and epidemiology reflects the established idea that values are important for epidemiologic practice. It also reflects the more recent realization that standards of conduct are a timely addition to the profession. The thesis of this paper goes somewhat further and asserts that this merger represents an essential cornerstone in the foundation of a philosophy of epidemiology. Historical reflection reveals existing ontological and epistemological components to this same foundation. The union of bioethics and epidemiology suggests an important philosophical problem: selecting a method for unifying ethical and scientific reasoning. Solutions are proposed including: dialectic and critical rationalism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Weed
mesh_terms: D001675:Bioethics; D001699:Biometry; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004813:Epidemiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010686:Philosophy, Medical