The Ethics of Science: An Introduction

by Resnik,David B.

• ISBN13: 9780415166980
• ISBN10: 0415166985
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-05-06
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

During the past decade scientists, public policy analysts, politicians, and laypeople, have become increasingly aware of the importance of ethical conduct in scientific research. In this timely book, David B. Resnik introduces the reader to the ethical dilemmas and questions that arise in scientific research. Some of the issues addressed in the book include ethical decision-making, the goals and methods of science, and misconduct in science. The Ethics of Science also discusses significant case studies such as human and animal cloning, the Challenger accident and Tobacco research. This is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the importance of ethics in science.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	x
Science and Ethics	1	(13)
The Baltimore Affair	6	(2)
Cloning Research	8	(3)
The Debate over Cold Fusion	11	(3)
Ethical Theory and Applications	14	(20)
Ethics, Law, Politics, and Religion	14	(3)
Moral Theory	17	(6)
Moral Choices	23	(4)
Relativism	27	(7)
Science as a Profession	34	(19)
Science: From Avocation to Profession	34	(4)
The Goals of Science	38	(3)
The Contemporary Research Environment	41	(4)
Communication and Science's Peer Review System	45	(4)
The Scientific Method	49	(4)
Standards of Ethical Conduct in Science	53	(21)
Honesty	53	(3)
Carefulness	56	(2)
Openness	58	(1)
Freedom	59	(2)
Credit	61	(1)
Education	62	(1)
Social Responsibility	63	(2)
Legality	65	(1)
Opportunity	65	(2)
Mutual Respect	67	(1)
Efficiency	67	(1)
Respect for Subjects	68	(1)
Concluding Remarks	68	(6)
Objectivity in Research	74	(22)
Honesty in Research	74	(6)
Misconduct in Science	80	(1)
Error and Self-deception	81	(3)
Bias in Research	84	(2)
Conflicts of Interest	86	(4)
Openness	90	(3)
Data Management	93	(3)
Ethical Issues in Scientific Publication	96	(26)
Objectivity in Publication	96	(5)
Other Publication Issues	101	(2)
Credit Where Credit is Due	103	(6)
Intellectual Property	109	(5)
Science, the Media, and the Public	114	(8)
Ethical Issues in the Laboratory	122	(25)
The Ethics of the Mentor--Mentee Relationship	122	(2)
Harassment	124	(1)
Reporting Misconduct in Science	125	(1)
Teaching vs. Research	126	(1)
Ethical Issues in Hiring and Recruitment	127	(3)
Sharing and Preserving Resources	130	(3)
Research on Human Subjects	133	(7)
Research on Animal Subjects	140	(7)
The Scientist in Society	147	(26)
Social Responsibility	147	(4)
Expert Testimony in Court	151	(4)
Industrial Science	155	(6)
Military Science	161	(6)
The Public Funding of Research	167	(4)
Other Social, Political, and Moral Issues	171	(2)
Postscript: Toward a More Ethical Science	173	(6)
Appendix: Case Studies	179	(22)
Notes	201	(5)
Bibliography	206	(11)
Index	217