Discussion Essay
The ethics of technologists
by Ben Rogers
QUESTIONS
Much
of what is written and discussed about technology is written and discussed
by people who have no hand in developing it.
Sociologists, psychologists, historians and journalists all weigh
in on myriad technological issues, but where do the engineers and scientists
fit into this discussion? What
role does the technologist (definition: a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems) play
in determining how technology will affect society, especially potentially
harmful technology?
Is the computer programmer ethically culpable for the damaging
viruses later written in a computer code she created? Probably no more than the pillow maker whose
product is later used to suffocate someone.
Still, the question remains:
Are todays technologists working to ensure advancements arent
being made solely for the sake of making them, but rather for the public
good? How much do engineers think about this kind
of thing?
ANSWERS
ineers begins: Engineering is an important and learned profession.
[It] has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people.
Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality,
fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the
public health, safety, and welfare.
Under the Fundamental Canons, NSPE
members are required to, among other things, hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of the public. The
Engineers' Creed reads: As a Professional
Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge and skill to the advancement
and betterment of human welfare. I pledge to placethe public welfare
above all other considerations.
Another such group is the National Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy. In 1994, this group published On Being A Scientist: Responsible
Conduct In Research. The book
outlines the role of scientists with a more specific and societal scope:
Even scientists conducting the most fundamental research need
to be aware that their work can ultimately have a great impact on society.
Construction of the atomic bomb and the development of recombinant DNA-events
that grew out of basic research on the nucleus of the atom and investigations
of certain bacterial enzymes, respectively-are two examples of how seemingly
arcane areas of science can have tremendous societal consequences.
It goes on to say: The occurrence and consequences of discoveries
in basic research are virtually impossible to foresee. Nevertheless,
the scientific community must recognize the potential for such discoveries
and be prepared to address the questions that they raise. If scientists
do find that their discoveries have implications for some important
aspect of public affairs, they have a responsibility to call attention
to the public issues involved. They might set up a suitable public forum
involving experts with different perspectives on the issue at hand.
They could then seek to develop a consensus of informed judgment that
can be disseminated to the public. A good example is the response of
biologists to the development of recombinant DNA technologies-first
calling for a temporary moratorium on the research and then helping
to set up a regulatory mechanism to ensure its safety.
The governmental organization that seems best suited to handle
issues of technology is the Congressional
Office of Technology Assessment.
In her book A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing, Sara
Baase writes:
Most of the people affected by the devices, systems, and services
of professionals do not understand how they work.
This creates special responsibilities for the professional. The book presents hypothetical ethical quandaries
on issues ranging from privacy protection to hiring foreign programmers
for cheap labor. None of the
issues addressed relate to the larger picture, but focus rather on case-by-case
ethical situations, much like the
It can be argued that all professions make an impact
on society that is simultaneously beneficial and detrimental. Medical science can keep accident victims on
life support, but is it morally acceptable to let people go on living
in catatonic states? Ethicist
Judith Swazey of the Acadia
Institute says that scientists, like other professionals, struggle
to articulate their professional values, and that young scientists are
expected to implicitly absorb these values through associating with
advisers and mentors. Swazey argues that this ''osmosis strategy" is no longer
enough and that scientists have a responsibility to train their students
in ethical conduct.
Some companies, such as Xeroxs forward-looking research lab, PARC (
Q: At Nanogen,
where the products have the potential to both help people and possibly
hurt them (for example, if insurance companies/employers/others begin
genetic testing as a way of screening out health risks), what role does
the engineer have in assuring his/her designs and research are used
properly?
A: You can voice your concerns
within company discussions, you can refuse to work on certain projects,
but once you do the work you have no control or ownership over it.
Also, there could be corporate political consequences to your
rocking the boat. I would be worried about an assay that would
result in pregnancy termination if, for instance, the baby would have
higher probability of having an IQ in the lower 60 percentile.
I would refuse to work on this particular assay development, but not
the instrument as a whole. The instrument has many other applications
good and bad.
Q: Do you consider the social ramifications (good and bad) of things you
work on? Do you think about how it will affect people? If
so, how does it influence the things you work on, the end results?
A: Yes, For the most
part we develop instruments and protocols to help peoples health.
As with most things, the technology can be abused. The abuse should
be prevented by legislation. We must rely on our elected officials
to implement the correct legislation regulating the applications of
the technology. We can participate in the legislation process
on many levels outside
of our corporate environment. This could be something like writing
to congress representatives or joining civic groups...
Q: Do engineers/scientists have a responsibility to keep technology
not only safe and useful, but "good"?
A:
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