Ethical Analysis of Betel Nut Culture and Related Policies in China
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DOI: 10.25236/etmhs.2022.045
Author(s)
Qian Zhang, Xin Peng
Corresponding Author
Xin Peng
Abstract
Betel nut has been consumed in China for thousands of years. Some regions have formed a deep betel nut culture with a strong social, economic and medical background. Betel nut chewing is also a risk factor for oral cancer development, and national and local governments have different policies on betel nut due to economic and cultural reasons. Oriented toward betel nut culture and related policies, we use the relevant theories of ethics to view betel nut from the perspectives of utilitarianism, informed consent, cultural identity, and autonomy, and propose an appropriate institutional response to betel nut.
Keywords
Betel nut culture, Oral cancer, Ethical analysis