Chapter 5 - Bioethical Research and Technological Development

Abstract

Much of the concern about bioethics can be found in research. Any research, no matter the particular scientific discipline, demands integrity. Thus bioengineering and biomedical research in many ways is no different. It must be conducted in a way that it can be trusted. Bioresearchers cannot lie, cheat, exaggerate results, change data, fabricate findings, plagiarize, and steal other people's intellectual property. Beyond this, because bioresearch deals in the essence of life, the ethical demands transcend the core of scientific soundness to include the larger focus of avoiding unacceptable risks to society. In other words, the engineering profession owes additional responsibilities to society beyond the collective of its membership. Both the individual engineering researcher and the engineering profession have a large stake in ensuring that any bioresearch is conducted responsibly and that such research advances the good of society. Bioethical choices can present unique challenges to the practicing engineer and researcher. No engineer goes untouched by the rapidly emerging developments in the biological sciences. Some have characterized these choices during the practice of engineering by the individual professional to be microethics. As such, the individual engineer stands as sentry to ensure that the public is protected from unwarranted risks. The bioethical lesson for engineers is that there are unexpected consequences from even the most thoughtful decisions. Thus designs must be adaptable as new information comes to light.