Ethical Principles Research Articles

Sample Size Calculation Based on Research Approaches in Animal Studies

Introduction: Sample sizes that are too small can produce inconclusive results, while sample sizes that are too large may raise ethical concerns and produce trivial outcomes. Ethical considerations of sample size calculation in animal studies are essential and researchers should consider the 3R approach. Therefore, accurately calculating the sample size is essential to ensure adequate statistical power and avoid wastage of resources. Methods: The paper presents several innovative approaches for conducting small-scale sampling in animal studies. It includes a comprehensive review of relevant literature, discussing various proposed methods for determining sample size in animal studies Results: In this study, various formulas are available for preparing sample size calculations that are relevant to the research design. These include t-tests (for one sample and two independent/paired samples), ANOVA, ANCOVA, simple/multiple linear regression, as well as proportion studies and studies utilizing correlation coefficients Conclusion: Our aims to equip researchers with formulas for reliable findings and adherence to ethical principles for sample size calculating in animal studies.

The Role of Education in Economic Development: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Kenya.

Education is a transforming factor in economic growth because it gives people the information and skills that spur innovation, productivity, and general social advancement. Two of the biggest economies in Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, have made considerable changes to their educational institutions to promote economic expansion. But even with these reforms, obstacles including poor infrastructure, restricted access, and insufficient government money still stand in the way of development. This study examines how education affects economic growth in Kenya and Nigeria, paying particular attention to how the distinct political, cultural, and historical backgrounds of each nation affect educational achievements. This study highlights opportunities for improvement while identifying important educational policies and initiatives that have successfully supported economic growth through a comparative analysis. It considers the larger implications of education as an instrument for national transformation, drawing on theological viewpoints, and makes the case that real growth must be in line with moral and ethical principles. In the end, the research suggests a more integrated strategy, stressing that education may act as a catalyst for long-term, sustainable economic growth when it is in line with spiritual principles.

Humanistic foundations of the legal system: dialectics of theory and practice in the conditions of modern challenges

The article is devoted to the study of the principle of humanism as the fundamental basis of the modern legal state. The author examines the historical development of the concept of humanism from the ideas of ancient philosophers to modern concepts of human rights, emphasizing its key role in the formation of the legal system and state policy. The work analyzes the concept of «principle» and its meaning in the legal context. The author emphasizes the systematic nature of the principles of law, their interrelation and hierarchy, which is critically important for understanding their role in the formation and functioning of the legal system. Special attention is paid to the principle of humanism as a cross-cutting element of the legal system. Its key aspects are considered: recognition of the inherent value of each person, respect for human dignity, provision of conditions for the realization of rights and freedoms, striving for the common good. The author emphasizes that humanism in law is not only an ethical ideal, but also a practical guideline for law-making and law enforcement. The article also examines certain aspects of the dialectical opposition between humanism and anti­humanism, which allows for a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature of humanistic principles and their role in the development of the rule of law. The author emphasizes the need for constant critical review of existing norms and institutions for their compliance with humanistic ideals. An important aspect of the research is consideration of the relationship between the level of moral maturity of society and the implementation of the principle of humanism. The author claims that in a morally developed society, respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual becomes an organic component of everyday life, which creates a harmonious coexistence of ethical principles and legal norms. In the conclusions, the author emphasizes the need not only for formal enshrining of humanistic principles in legislation, but also for their practical implementation in all spheres of social life. This requires constant improvement of the legal system and state administration in order to maximally satisfy the needs and interests of citizens, which is a key feature of a truly legal and democratic state.

Psychological Techniques for Counselling Individuals on Sexual Attitudes and Discrimination

The importance of studying the psychology of sexuality and exploring counselling techniques for individuals dealing with sexual attitudes and discrimination is steadily growing on a global scale. In recent years, democratic reforms, the rise of the feminist movement, increased communication freedom between men and women, the surge of research across various scientific disciplines, and other factors have all contributed to the growing public interest in this branch of sexology. The present era is shaping new laws and patterns, which are still being defined within today’s science. Emerging are new types, categories, subdivisions, and fields that form the structural framework of this scientific field. The categories within the psychology of sexuality are regularly reassessed. Today, the development of sexology as a scientific field demands focused attention from both the scientific community and the state. This includes the publication of specialized literature, the training of university-level educators, the creation of master’s programmes, and the formal recognition of the psychologist-sexologist profession (psychologist-consultant in sexology), along with the opportunity to defend master’s and doctoral theses in this discipline. This reflects the dual challenge of clearly defining the scope of the psychology of sexuality while emphasizing the need for psychologists to be actively involved in sexology. The article highlights the psychologist’s role within sexological support services, presents various models of psychological counselling for individuals facing sexual attitude issues and discrimination, and outlines ethical principles in psychological counselling.

Pancasila sebagai Sistem Etika Politik dan Etika Pemerintahan di Indonesia

The study aims to examine Pancasila as an ethical system in politics and government in Indonesia. Pancasila, which consists of five principles, is not only the foundation of the state but also a moral guideline that directs political and governmental behavior. This study uses a qualitative type of library research with a descriptive approach, which is a type of research that focuses on a phenomenon with data obtained in the form of literature that is naturally described in the form of words or writing. The results of the study obtained are in the context of political ethics, Pancasila functions as a moral identity that guides citizens and the government to act in accordance with ethical principles that are fair, wise, and in accordance with the values ​​of humanity, unity, and people's sovereignty. The implementation of political ethics based on Pancasila ensures that political actions are not only focused on power, but also morally and socially responsible to society. In government, Pancasila is the main guideline that ensures that the government acts for the welfare of all Indonesian people, by respecting the values ​​of humanity, justice, and unity. Every decision and policy taken by a leader must reflect the values ​​contained in Pancasila, such as divinity, humanity, democracy, and social justice. Pancasila is not only the basis of the country's constitution, but also an ethical system that guides the government in carrying out its duties with integrity, morality, and commitment to the interests of the people and the state.

Student Pharmacists’ Reflections on Personal and Professional Development Following a Series of Longitudinal Faith-Based Courses

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore how integrating Judeo-Christian religious education into the pharmacy curriculum influences students’ spiritual and moral development, professional values, and mindset, preparing them for future holistic health care practice. MethodsA series of Judeo-Christian faith-based courses were integrated into the required Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum with the aim of developing student pharmacists’ moral foundation for future health care roles. Student reflections from these courses were compiled and analyzed using WordStat, combining natural language processing and statistical analysis. Content analysis included word cloud visualization, word co-occurrence, phrase extraction, and topic modeling. Thematic analysis with a deductive coding approach was applied. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze coding frequencies. ResultsWord cluster analysis revealed frequently cited and co-occurring words, including God, patient, care, life, love, ethics, personal, professional, health, and people. The frequently occurring phrases included patient care, professional ethics, personal ethics, and professional developments. The topics with high coherence values included love and compassion, empathetic care, caring health professionals, patient care, and leadership based on biblical principles. The major themes that emerged included spiritual growth and connection with God, the cultivation of virtues and ethical principles in personal development, and integration of faith into professional commitments for these aspiring professionals. ConclusionThe findings suggest that integrating spiritual and religious education into the pharmacy curriculum helps students develop a strong moral foundation, guiding their future practice with compassion and integrity.

A COVID question: the impact on our nursing home residents

COVID-19, a novel coronavirus which targets the respiratory system, has had a significant impact on Irish nursing homes. The virus was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, and as of 14th June the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has reported 258 clusters of cases in nursing homes, comprising 21% of all cases in Ireland and associated with 943 deaths. This pandemic is a source of many ethical dilemmas — an example being the ethical issues arising from enforced social isolation imposed on residents during lock-down. The cocooning of residents in nursing homes raises a question with no simple answer — does the risk this isolation poses to the wellbeing of elderly residents outweigh the benefits of such strict measures to protect them from COVID-19? The adverse effects of isolation, although relevant in any infectious outbreak, are compounded in this instance by the unprecedented scale of the coronavirus pandemic and the immense pressure on the healthcare system as it faces this new threat to health. Even in the chaos of a global pandemic, the ethical principles at the root of all healthcare decisions, namely non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice remain pertinent.

Risk factors, timing and frequency of occurrence of post-COVID syndrome in workers with intensive computer workload

According to leading experts of the World Health Organization, the threat of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains, which will lead to a sharp increase in morbidity and mortality. The severity of complications after COVID-19 depends not only on how severe the disease was, but also on other factors: genetic predisposition, age, concomitant diseases, and working conditions. This makes it urgent to conduct further scientific research on the ranking of the factors of the production environment that accelerate the spread of COVID-19. The study aims to determine the degree of occupational risk, taking into account the timing and frequency of manifestations of post-COVID syndrome (U09.9; U10.9 according to ICD–X) in specialists with intensive computer workload. In the period 2020–2024, the researchers conducted a survey at the workplaces of Kislovodsk enterprises and examined 556 people with an intensive computer load associated with servicing the flows of mass consumers during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic period. We have studied the timing and frequency of the occurrence of post-COVID syndrome, objectified by the degree of health risk factors in various categories of workers with intensive computer workload. The timing and frequency of seven post-COVID syndrome manifestations ranked (according to the degree of occupational health risk factors) (U09.9; U10.9 according to ICD-X) that occur in workers with intensive computer workload in the first two weeks after discharge from the hospital during hospitalization for COVID-19 (occupational health risk factors category A) or arising within three to four weeks after discharge from the hospital during hospitalization for COVID-19 (occupational health risk factors of category B). Based on statistical and clinical and hygienic data obtained in the period from 2020 to 2024, post-COVID manifestations in the gradations of "high" and "moderately high" occupational health risk for employees (n=556) with intensive computer load were ranked by the timing and frequency of occurrence of the named syndrome, as well as by the degree of risk of potential COVID-19 infections of the named groups of specialists associated with servicing mass consumer flows infected with constantly mutating representatives of enveloped RNA viruses. According to the degree of occupational risk to the health of persons with intensive computer workload, six groups of specialists associated with servicing mass consumer flows, potentially infected with COVID-19 and other representatives of enveloped RNA viruses, were ranked. Limitations. Post-COVID syndromes that occur within one to two and three to four weeks after discharge from the hospital have been studied. Ethics. Scientists have conducted research in accordance with the principles of biomedical ethics and approved by the local Ethics Committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupation Health, Moscow (Protocol No. 4 dated 04/14/2021). Each participant of the study submitted a voluntary written informed consent signed by him after explaining to him the potential risks and benefits.

The state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in workers exposed to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequenc

Introduction. Electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency are an integral part of production processes, and their effect on the human body is of increasing interest both among scientists and among specialists in the field of medicine and occupational safety. In recent decades, there has been growing concern about the potential impact of these areas on the health of workers, especially those who are exposed to prolonged exposure in the course of their professional activities. In this context, we pay special attention to the neuroendocrine system, which plays a key role in regulating many physiological processes, including metabolism, stress reactions and maintaining homeostasis. The study of the fundamentals of the neuroendocrine system and the mechanisms of the effect of electromagnetic fields on the body not only contributes to the deepening of scientific knowledge in the field of biomedical research, but also has practical significance in ensuring occupational safety and improving working conditions in industrial enterprises, allowing to identify possible health consequences and develop effective measures to protect workers from negative bioeffects. The study aims to research the effects of electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency on the functional state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system of employees of electric grid facilities. Materials and methods. Specialists examined 144 employees of the main group engaged in the repair and operation of electric grid facilities and 40 employees of the control group who were not exposed to electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency. We determined the concentration of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in blood serum samples and calculated the ratio of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to cortisol. Results. Workers exposed to the combined effects of electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency had a lower (p<0.05) level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (1.9 [0.5; 3.9] pg/ml) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (5.8 [3.7; 8.4] mmol/l) in the blood compared with the group of workers exposed to magnetic fields industrial frequency fields (4.4 [2.1; 12.9] pg/ml; 9.8 [6.3; 14.5] mmol/l) and to the control group (6.4 [4.0; 19.8] pg/ml; 7.8 [4.7; 13.3] mmol/l), respectively. The scientists also revealed in the group of workers exposed to combined exposure in the field, the association of a low ratio of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol with the development of cardiovascular diseases and feedback from work experience (p<0.05). Limitations. The study is limited by the number of people surveyed (144 employees). Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system induced by exposure to electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency, manifested by a decrease in the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and its relationship to cortisol in workers exposed to combined effects of electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency. Ethics. The work complies with ethical standards developed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical Principles of conducting Scientific medical research with human participation" as amended in 2000 and the "Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation" approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated 04/01/2016 No. 200n. We received informed consent from each examined person to participate in the study, approved in accordance with the established procedure by the local Ethics Committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (minutes of the meeting of the Ethics Committee No. 17 dated 12/16/2015).

Ethical Decision-Making for Self-Driving Vehicles: A Proposed Model & List of Value-Laden Terms that Warrant (Technical) Specification

Self-driving vehicles (SDVs) will need to make decisions that carry ethical dimensions and are of normative significance. For example, by choosing a specific trajectory, they determine how risks are distributed among traffic participants. Accordingly, policymakers, standardization organizations and scholars have conceptualized what (shall) constitute(s) ethical decision-making for SDVs. Eventually, these conceptualizations must be converted into specific system requirements to ensure proper technical implementation. Therefore, this article aims to translate critical requirements recently formulated in scholarly work, existing standards, regulatory drafts and guidelines into an explicit five-step ethical decision model for SDVs during hazardous situations. This model states a precise sequence of steps, indicates the guiding ethical principles that inform each step and points out a list of terms that demand further investigation and technical specification. By integrating ethical, legal and engineering considerations, we aim to contribute to the scholarly debate on computational ethics (particularly in autonomous driving) while offering practitioners in the automotive sector a decision-making process for SDVs that is technically viable, legally permissible, ethically grounded and adaptable to societal values. In the future, assessing the actual impact, effectiveness and admissibility of implementing the here sketched theories, terms and the overall decision process requires an empirical evaluation and testing of the overall decision-making model.

Expression of DNA repair genes in workers producing lead from recycled materials

Working conditions at lead production plants, where a large number of harmful chemicals are present in the air of the work area, among which lead is the leading risk factor, have a negative impact on the health of workers. This xenobiotic disrupts numerous biochemical processes and affects many body systems. Of particular interest is the understanding of the action of lead at the molecular level, since in addition to the general mechanisms of damage to molecules and ultrastructures as a result of oxidative stress, lead is able to bind to a large DNA groove. A change in the level of gene expression in response to toxic exposure is considered as one of the biomarkers of the effect and can serve to develop measures for the early diagnosis of health disorders in exposed populations, including those working in harmful conditions. The study aims to consider the expression of DNA repair genes in workers of lead processing from secondary raw materials. The researchers examined the interned men working at the enterprise for the production of lead from secondary raw materials in the profession of a smelter (n=11) of the rough lead department, a dryer (n=10) of the rough lead department. The comparison group included men (n=20) who work at the same enterprise and have no contact with harmful factors of production. We have performed amplification of the studied genes (ATM, CDKN1A and MDM) in real time using the QuantStudio 3 amplifier (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). It was found that the expression level of the ATM gene was statistically significantly different in all three study groups from the comparison group. The expression of the CDKN1A gene increased in comparison with the comparison group only in the smelters of the refining department. Also, the expression of this gene was increased in the smelters of the refining department compared with the smelters of the rough lead department. In this study, an increase in the expression level of CDKN1A in smelters of the refining department was demonstrated, which may be an adaptive mechanism of the repair system. Also, in all exposed groups, the researchers found a decrease in the expression level of the ATM gene, which is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Further studies of the mechanisms of the influence of lead on the expression of these two genes in experimental models will allow the use of expression levels as early biomarkers of the effect of both total Pb exposure (ATM gene) and dose-dependent (CDKN1A gene). Limitations. Ethnicity was not determined in this study. Ethics. The studies were conducted in accordance with the ethical principles set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association and approved by the local Ethics committee of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the Russian National Research Center of Rospotrebnadzor (Protocol No. 1 of 02/26/2021).

Translating restrictive law into practice: An ethnographic exploration of the systemic processing of legally restricted health care access for asylum seekers in Germany

BackgroundAccess to health services for asylum seekers is legally restricted in Germany. The law is subject to interpretation, therefore the chance of receiving care is not equally distributed among asylum seekers. What services are provided to whom is ultimately decided by health professionals and government employees. The respective prioritization processes and criteria are not transparent. We sought to understand how legal restrictions are translated into daily practices and how this affects the health system. We aimed to outline the complex process of cost coverage for health services for asylum seekers and provide insights into common decision-making criteria.MethodsWe conducted an ethnographic exploration of routines in two outpatient clinics in two federal states over the course of three months, doing participant and non-participant observation. Additionally, we interviewed 21 professionals of health care and government organizations, and documented 110 applications for cost coverage of medical services and their outcome. In addition to qualitative data analysis and documentation, we apply a system-theoretical perspective to our findings.ResultsTo perform legal restrictions a cross-sectoral prioritization process of medical services has been implemented, involving health care and government institutions. This changes professional practices, responsibilities and (power) relations. Involved actors find themselves at the intersection of several, oftentimes conflicting priorities, since “doing it right” might be seen differently from a legal, medical, economic, or political perspective. The system-theoretical analysis reveals that while actors have to bring different rationales into workable arrangements this part of the medical system transforms, giving rise to a sub-system that incorporates migration political rationales.ConclusionsHealth care restrictions for asylum seekers are implemented through an organizational linking of care provision and government administration, resulting in a bureaucratization of practice. Power structures at this intersection of health and migration policy, that are uncommon in other parts of the health system are thereby normalized. Outpatient clinics provide low-threshold access to health services, but paradoxically they may unintentionally stabilize health inequities, if prioritization criteria and power dynamics are not made transparent. Health professionals should openly reflect on conflicting rationales. Training, research and professional associations need to empower them to stay true to professional ethical principles and international conventions.

Atherosclerotic vascular lesion in the coal industry workers of average and high fatal risk groups

Introduction. Experts do not take into account the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis when stratifying risk on the SCORE scale, however, it is the main substrate for the occurrence of cardiovascular disasters. Most primary cardiovascular events occur in low cardiovascular risk groups, which requires timely detection of atherosclerosis and preventive measures to preserve the working population's ability to work and reduce the economic burden of treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The study aims to research the incidence of atherosclerosis in workers of the main professions of the coal industry in the South of Kuzbass in groups of medium and high risk of fatal events on the SCORE scale. Materials and methods. We divided the subjects into two groups using the SCORE scale: high-risk (main) — from 5 to 9%, which included 60 people, and moderate-risk group — from 2 to 4% (comparison) — 70 employees. The average age of the first was 50.98±0.43 years, the comparison group was 49.96±0.35 years (p=0.070). The scientists examined the indicators of blood pressure, lipid, carbohydrate and purine metabolism, and performed an ultrasound examination of the main arteries. Results. The incidence of atherosclerotic plaques in at least one vascular basin was 80.0% in the main group and 78.6% in the comparison group, p=0.845. The frequency of carotid artery atheromas in the high-risk group on the SCORE scale (52.7%) did not significantly differ from the comparison group (54.3%), p=0.862; a similar pattern in the arteries of the lower extremities: 80.0% vs. 70.0%, respectively, p=0.203. The frequency of carotid artery atheromas in the high-risk group on the SCORE scale (52.7%) did not significantly differ from the comparison group (54.3%), p=0.862; a similar pattern in the arteries of the lower extremities: 80.0% vs. 70.0%, respectively, p=0.203. The combination of thickening of the intima of vessels and the presence of atheromas tended to be more frequent in the main group — 83.6% compared with those in the comparison group — 70.1%, p=0.076 Limitations. The study is limited by the number of examined patients who underwent periodic medical examination at the Scientific Research Institute of Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. Conclusion. The incidence of atherosclerosis among employees of coal enterprises turned out to be very high and did not statistically differ in the groups of medium and high fatal risk stratified on the SCORE scale, which requires more thorough screening and measures of enhanced angioprotective prevention, even in people with a low risk of fatal cardiovascular disasters. Ethics. All the subjects signed an informed consent to participate in the study, the Protocol of which corresponded to the requirements of the Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute of Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, executed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical Principles of conducting medical research with human participation as a subject" as amended in 2013 and the "Rules of Good Clinical Practice" approved by the order Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 200n dated April 1, 2016.

Reconciliation Pedagogy as Peacebuilding through Education in the Context of Cameroon

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine Reconciliation Pedagogy as Peacebuilding through Education in the Context of Cameroon Methodology: Being a literature-based paper, there was introduction of the paper in which some concepts were defined, a review of relevant literature on Cameroonian scholarship about the ongoing crisis, review of global literature on reconciliation pedagogy, a description of the role of a Christian teacher as a reconciliation pedagogue, and a proposed reconciliation pedagogical framework from a Christian perspective. Findings: The Christian Teacher can positively provide good influence to help address the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon through pedagogy for contextual reconciliation. This would be seen in actual ethical paradigms like forgiveness, compassionate care, honesty, love, justice and equity as Christian virtues of being and doing, which is a potential gap in teachers’ practice in a crisis situation. Hence, the paper seeks to provide a new paradigmatic shift in ethical discernment in teaching pupils/students who are the immediate beneficiaries of reconciliation pedagogy and the society at large. The focus is not on inculcating ideas but in shaping life through teaching and modeling of Christian virtues that would be constructive to the development of students and the society in general. This would be an integrative approach of historical, ethical, spiritual and practical principles and Christian thinking and doing. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper suggests a contextual pedagogy for the Christian Teacher’s practice which is a form of summary of the roles they can play as reflective pedagogues. Hence, this paper sought to suggest reconciliation pedagogy from a Christian perspective for the Cameroonian context which is a characterized with human abuse and which both teachers and learners are victims. It is hoped that the suggested framework guides the Christian Teacher’s practice towards the reconstruction of the society as a step in the process of reconciliation in view of the current Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.

Evaluation relationship between VDR gene and clinical and inflammatory factors in patients with RRMS.

Adipocyte levels including leptin and FABS-4 levels, adiponectin, obesity, and vitamin D can be related to the occurrence and exacerbation of MS disease. This research aimed at determining the relationship between VDR gene changes and clinical and inflammatory factors in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This case/control study was conducted based on the ethical principles of Helsinki. RRMS disease was confirmed based on history, clinical signs, radiological signs, and neurologist's diagnosis. The research population consisted of healthy people and patients with RRMS referring to Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital between 2021 and 2023 who met the criteria for entering the research. FokI polymorphism is associated with a substantial increase in risk, with an odds ratio of 7.28, for those with the FF genotype who have RRMS compared to healthy individuals (OR=7.28: 95% CI; 1.86, 28.41). The presence of FokI polymorphism significantly raises the likelihood of developing RRMS in persons with the FF genotype compared to healthy individuals, with an odds ratio of 28.7. RRMS patients with genotypes did not exhibit a significant increase in risk compared to controls for FokI, ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI polymorphisms. None of the studied polymorphisms revealed a significant risk in obese patients with different genotypes compared to the obese people. Further research, including more cases, is needed to avoid results that could be inflated by small samples or low frequencies of minor alleles.

Redesigning an AI bill of rights with/for young people: Principles for exploring AI ethics with middle and high school students

“AI ethics” has become a popular term for signaling concerns with the development and application of artificial intelligence, and a hot-button issue in both academic and public discourse. The current work tends to center adult-oriented, adult-generated, and issues-based conceptions of ethics. This paper reports on an alternative model for “doing ethics” via co-design with young people, highlighting the need for students to engage in AI ethics work, especially as AI is increasingly used in their education and social lives. In particular, we focus on developing a rights-based approach, using the White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights as a starting point for redesigning core AI ethics principles and their conveyance to be accessible and relevant to young people, in collaboration with young people. In this manuscript, we describe our empirical work in a series of three studies on AI ethics teaching and learning with middle and high school students, which culminated in redesigning pieces of the AI Bill of Rights. We present lessons learned, implications for responsible AI in education from student perspectives, and conclude with our suggested principles for integrating student insight and perspectives into the ethics frameworks that guide AI applications.

Reconstructing AI Ethics Principles: Rawlsian Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

The popularisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has sparked discussion about their ethical implications. This development has forced governmental organisations, NGOs, and private companies to react and draft ethics guidelines for future development of ethical AI systems. Whereas many ethics guidelines address values familiar to ethicists, they seem to lack in ethical justifications. Furthermore, most tend to neglect the impact of AI on democracy, governance, and public deliberation. Existing research suggest, however, that AI can threaten key elements of western democracies that are ethically relevant. In this paper, Rawls’s theory of justice is applied to draft a set of guidelines for organisations and policy-makers to guide AI development towards a more ethical direction. The goal is to contribute to the broadening of the discussion on AI ethics by exploring the possibility of constructing AI ethics guidelines that are philosophically justified and take a broader perspective of societal justice. The paper discusses how Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness and its key concepts relate to the ongoing developments in AI ethics and gives a proposition of how principles that offer a foundation for operationalising AI ethics in practice could look like if aligned with Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness.

Systematisation of Conceptual Approaches to Formation of Business Ethics in the Context of Legal Regulation of Entrepreneurial Activity

Introduction. In the frame of entrepreneurship development, promotion of business ethics becomes particularly important as a mechanism for business harmonization, ensuring legal equality, healthy competition and fair attitudes to consumers. However, the controversial approaches to defining the concept of “business ethics” and the multiple interpretations thereof prevent from boosting the global spread of business culture in the legal regulation framework. In this regard, the aim of the study is to systematise the conceptual approaches to substantiation and formation of business ethics in the context of legal regulation of entrepreneurial activity.Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the research includes the general and specific scientific methods. The methods of analysis, comparison and systematisation enable the study of the integral parts of business ethics to get deep understanding of this concept. By comparing different interpretations, the common grounds in the interdisciplinary approaches to substantiation of this concept are revealed. Systematisation fosters organisation of the legal and moral values into a single hierarchical structure that forms the essence of business ethics. The philosophical-juridical method reveals the interrelation of the philosophical approach contained in the entrepreneurial value reference points and the legislative norms of society.Results. The research has revealed a pattern of business ethics development in the context of global and national wellbeing. The hierarchical structure of business ethics has a top-down nature: the international level, the macro level and the micro level. Despite the influence of cultural specifics on the development of the moral value system, the formation of business culture should go in correlation with the norms of law and the needs of society, along with establishment of the corporate boundaries and general entrepreneurial principles. At the corporate level, the integration of business ethics into the enterprise strategy is beneficial for its image and reputation, and the efficiency lies in promotion of the socio-economic, legal and other aspects fostering creation of fair, sustainable and conscious business.Discussion and Conclusion. The concept of “business ethics” is studied in the various scientific contexts. Despite all differences in interpretation, the mechanism of forming the business ethics in the framework of entrepreneurial activity is uniform, it includes creation of the code of ethics, training in ethical principles, development of a system of incentives, elaboration of the methods of prevention and punishment. In various contexts, this mechanism is aimed at eliminating unlawful forms of competition, ensuring economic, social and legal security, increasing the level of responsibility and creating an efficient system of business values.

Scrutinizing a frugal lifestyle in spiritual dimensions: an Islamic ethical consumption framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study in depth about frugal lifestyle and analyze it within the framework of the principles of Islamic consumption ethics. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a textual–contextual approach to explore the concepts of frugal and Islamic consumption by studying various existing literature. Findings The research findings highlight both similarities and notable differences between frugal and Islamic consumption. While they share aspects such as materialism, avoidance of materialism and support for sustainable consumption, the contrast lies in the fact that Islamic consumption is rooted in faith and devotion to Allah SWT. Unlike the primarily individual-focused and worldly orientation of frugal concepts, Islamic consumption is motivated by a commitment to individual desire and social balance, also well-being in both the present and the hereafter. Islamic consumption places an unique emphasis on social solidarity, a feature absent in the individualistic long-term goals of a frugal lifestyle. Practical implications This study offers a valuable contribution to marketers, particularly those who are engaged in the Islamic marketing field. Marketers are keen on understanding frugal consumers as a potential emerging market segment. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is considered the first attempt to link the idea of frugality with the Islamic ethical principles of consumption. It highlights how Muslims should comprehend the concept of frugality accurately, avoiding misinterpretations that portray it solely as a means to combat materialism and consumerism, as has been commonly understood.

Investigating Data Diversity and Model Robustness of AI Applications in Palliative Care and Hospice: Protocol for Scoping Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal element in health care, leading to significant advancements across various medical domains, including palliative care and hospice services. These services focus on improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and AI's ability to process complex datasets can enhance decision-making and personalize care in these sensitive settings. However, incorporating AI into palliative and hospice care requires careful examination to ensure it reflects the multifaceted nature of these settings. This scoping review aims to systematically map the landscape of AI in palliative care and hospice settings, focusing on the data diversity and model robustness. The goal is to understand AI's role, its clinical integration, and the transparency of its development, ultimately providing a foundation for developing AI applications that adhere to established ethical guidelines and principles. Our scoping review involves six stages: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results; and (6) consulting with stakeholders. Searches were conducted across databases including MEDLINE through PubMed, Embase.com, IEEE Xplore, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science Core Collection, covering studies from the inception of each database up to November 1, 2023. We used a comprehensive set of search terms to capture relevant studies, and non-English records were excluded if their abstracts were not in English. Data extraction will follow a systematic approach, and stakeholder consultations will refine the findings. The electronic database searches conducted in November 2023 resulted in 4614 studies. After removing duplicates, 330 studies were selected for full-text review to determine their eligibility based on predefined criteria. The extracted data will be organized into a table to aid in crafting a narrative summary. The review is expected to be completed by May 2025. This scoping review will advance the understanding of AI in palliative care and hospice, focusing on data diversity and model robustness. It will identify gaps and guide future research, contributing to the development of ethically responsible and effective AI applications in these settings. DERR1-10.2196/56353.