WHAT ROLE SHOULD ETHICS PLAY IN SCIENCE?
1. Sometimes there are conflicts between scientific progress and ethics. Should scientists care about the ethical implications of their research? Should scientific progress ever be halted on the basis of ethical concerns? Should scientists have ethical training? If so, what would their ethical training be like? How should scientists respond to ethical concerns when there is so much controversy about what is ethical and what is not ethical? How can anyone know what is ethically acceptable and what is ethically wrong when there is deep disagreement? If there is deep disagreement, with no uncontroversial position in sight, why should scientists try to satisfy ethicists?
2. Prior to the 20th century, technology for the most part functioned to aid humanity in our endeavors to survive life on the planet earth. However, with the development of atomic theory and discoveries in molecular biology, we now possess the potential to destroy the planet and alter our own species. These developments in science and technology create the need for an ethical evaluation of the impact of scientific research and technological developments prior to pursuing any particular path of research.
3. Science is not value neutral and the decisions made in the development of various technologies have both social and ethical implications for the societies in which they are developed. In light of that consideration and our commitment to democratic principles, it is imperative that decisions in scientific research allow for public participation.
4. The ethical implications of choosing one technology over another must be carefully weighed in order that our choices are consistent with the values endorsed by our society. The decision to pursue human genetic engineering for example has numerous ethical implications which must be carefully weighed prior to deciding whether or not to pursue this particular technology.
5. Science can no longer assume “we must because we can.” but rather scientists must take a step back before proceeding, and ask the question “What are the ethical and social implications of this research or technology and are those implications consistent with our values?” If those implications are not consistent with our values, then science must respect ethical constraints and refrain from pursuing that particular path of research or development. The human species will undoubtedly leave its footprint on this planet and it is up to us to decide what form that footprint will ultimately take.