The ethical challenges of healthcare and peak oil

An ethical conflict occurs whenever the rights of two or more people, or groups of people, come into conflict. Put another way, it occurs when everyone can’t get what they want, and tough decisions need to be made about the allocation of scarce resources.

It is particularly likely that ethical dilemmas will arise during the redesign of the healthcare system as a response to peak oil. This is because there will be a conflict between what is best for society as a whole, versus what is best for the individual.

It is also likely that the quality of life, safety and material abundance that we currently enjoy will decline once oil becomes scarce and expensive. It is probable that the next few decades will be characterized by the scarcity of many things, necessitating the need for rationing of healthcare and other important services.

Energy Bulletin