Hi
e ethical issue here, as I see it. There are ways around the ethical
> question, ways of changing the parameters of the situation like: find an
> appropriate, "earth-friendly" susbstitute for styrofoam
Don't think we haven't looked.
or find a cure for MCS.
Please do, but until then ...?
>
> I see the ethical question as:
> To what degree is it okay to harm the environment for our personal
> comfort?
Comfort! Comfort !@#$%...We are talking pain and suffering here
not discomfort! I know you mean well but...
I am trying to
> keep in mind the possible degree of "discomfort" involved, so as not to
> belittle it. But, we are talking about one person in this case, and a
> relatively small percentage of the population when taken as a group. Will
> you regulate the use of styrofoam so that only people with MCS can use it?
If there are no substitutes for it than I would limit its use, yes.
> Would Dow continue to make it if that was the case? Are we sure that the
> presence, manufacture, or transportation of such products is not actually
> creating MCS?
Oh yes , I'm sure it is a cause, one of the many.
>
> Stuart proposed the ethical principle of "flourishing of the greatest
> number of species." Clearly the ability to reduce molds in the houses of
> MCS is not critical to the survival of humans, or any other species.
> Styrofoam products probably do more harm than good when looked at with
> this perspective. Is anyone willing to propose an ethical priciple where
> styrofoam is okay?
Well, since I'm the guy who asked about the safe room and also
said , "the greatest good for the greatest number", ... I find myself
in a quandry! I probably would take the easy way out, and since
there is probably no substitute for the styrofoam, I would use it and
vote to have it taken off the market. Sounds terrible doesn't it?
>
>
> We'd need to know more about where Stuart lives, what he will use the
> "cabin" for, how much time and what seasons he will be using it, how he
> plans to heat it if it will be heated, what materials and skills are
> locally available, local codes, etc. If it is to be used as a part time
> sanctuary, many of the most difficult problems may be easily avoided
It will actually be used by a MCS suffer in Ontario , who has such
severe reactions to so many things that people like her are referred
to as "universal reactors". The one room structure would only be
used in summer, in a damp location in northern Ontario.
Stuart
