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Open Access 01-12-2006 | Editorial

Individual freedom versus collective responsibility: too many rights make a wrong?

Authors: Katharine J Looker, Timothy B Hallett

Published in: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology | Issue 1/2006

Abstract

Individuals might reasonably expect the freedom to make their own decisions regarding their health. However, what happens when an individual's wishes conflict with what is in that individual's best interests? How far should an individual's rights be restricted for his or her own benefit? Similarly, what limitations should be placed on an individual's behaviour when that person's wishes go against what is good for the population in general? Here we discuss the issues that can arise when the rights of individuals conflict with individual and population benefits in relation to infectious diseases.

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Title: Individual freedom versus collective responsibility: too many rights make a wrong?
Authors: Katharine J Looker
Timothy B Hallett
Publication date: 01-12-2006
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1742-7622
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-7622-3-14

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Individual freedom versus collective responsibility: too many rights make a wrong?

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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