Maximizing Profit and Endangering Health: Corporate Strategies to Avoid Litigation and Regulation

Abstract

Corporations and industries use various tactics to obscure the fact that their products are dangerous or deadly. Their aim is to secure the least restrictive possible regulatory environment and avert legal liability for deaths or injuries in order to maximize profit. They work with attorneys and public relations professionals, using scientists, science advisory boards; front groups, industry organizations, think tanks, and the media to influence scientific and popular opinion of the risks of their products or processes. The strategy, which depends on corrupt science, profits corporations at the expense of public health. Public health professionals can learn from this strategy how to effectively build scientific and public opinion that prioritizes both good science and the public health.

Keywords:

• mass media
• industry
• ethics
• business
• lawyers
• public relations
• liability
• legal
• public opinion
• advisory committees
• occupational disease
• environmental disease