The use of toxic defoliants by the United States in Vietnam is an example of a violation of the principle of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The use of toxic defoliants such as Agent Orange by the United States military in Vietnam was intended to destroy the natural cover that allowed enemy guerrilla fighters to remain hidden in the jungle. However, the defoliants also had harmful effects on the environment and human health, which violated the principle of double effect. This principle states that an action can have both good and bad effects, but it is only ethical if the good effect is intended and the bad effect is an unintended consequence that cannot be avoided. In the case of Agent Orange, the harmful effects were foreseeable and avoidable, so the use of this chemical violated the principle of double effect.

The Use of Toxic Defoliants by the United States in Vietnam