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Remembering Our Humanity - Science Ethics in the 21st Century

By crooky | January 21, 2008

I recently read Next by Michael Crichton - a thought-provoking read that postulates what life in America might be like when genetic manipulation enters the consumer goods market. Like most Crichton books, it’s not particularly well written but it poses some interesting ethical questions and interestingly, makes actual policy recommendations about genetic research to the US Government in the post-script. Through my work with NanotechBC, I’ve been thinking about ethics and science frequently. NanotechBC is advocating for Nano-related Environment, Ethics, Economics, Legal and Safety (NE3LS) policies. With all the recent news of human cloning, watercooler/coffeeshop talk of late has focussed more on the ethics of science than ever. It reminds me of the last great ethical battle waged in public more than 50 years ago around the ethics of nuclear weapons.

People of my generation probably think that public protest around genetically-modified organisms was a real debate - I don’t, because it was more like a trial by media with little in the way of facts flying around. The last real debate on science ethics is best represented by the Russell-Einstein Manifesto which stated:

There lies before us, if we choose, continual progress in happiness, knowledge, and wisdom. Shall we, instead, choose death, because we cannot forget our quarrels? We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.

Despite Crichton’s portrayal of scientists as caloused merchants of death with little regard for the sanctity of life, I think most scientists are caring, thoughtful individuals who truly believe in the precautionary principle. That does not preclude other scientists that do have malice or greed as their motivation. I suggest that we all try to “remember our humanity” as we move forward into an era where lots of people are going to be looking to make money from the latest developments in every major area of research-based science. That, combined with the precautionary principle and a regulatory environment that penalizes those who choose to ignore it, will make the world a better place for all.

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Aaron “Crooky” Cruikshank is the Principal and Founder of Friuch Consulting. He has written professionally about science and technology for ten years.

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Topics: Policy, Technology |

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