Seeking and Finding Wholeness

I am in favor of the idea of having an Ethical Code of Practice for scientists, similar to the Hippocratic Oath used in the medical profession.

No one can make anyone be an ‘ethical’ person, however having an oath brings the topic up and forces scientists to think it through, it also shows that ethics are worthy enough in the eyes of the scientific community to be considered and respected via an oath.

The idea was first suggested by Sir Joseph Rotblat, a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project, during his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995.

Following that, in 2001, in the scientific journal The Biochemical Journal, Nobel laureate Sir John Sulston proposed an oath so that scientists could declare their intention “to cause no harm and to be wholly truthful in their public pronouncements, and also to protect them from discrimination by employers who might prefer them to be economical with the truth.”

Many disagree and believe that oaths do not promote advancement.

Existing Oaths:

Sir David King

The UK government has adopted a ‘universal code of ethics’ that was proposed by Sir David King in 2007. This code included seven (7) principles. These principles are guiding principles to scientists. Here they are:

* Act with skill and care in all scientific work. Maintain up to date skills and assist their development in others.

* Take steps to prevent corrupt practices and professional misconduct. Declare conflicts of interest.

* Be alert to the ways in which research derives from and affects the work of other people, and respect the rights and reputations of others.

* Ensure that your work is lawful and justified.

* Minimise and justify any adverse effect your work may have on people, animals and the natural environment.

* Seek to discuss the issues that science raises for society. Listen to the aspirations and concerns of others.

* Do not knowingly mislead, or allow others to be misled, about scientific matters. Present and review scientific evidence, theory or interpretation honestly and accurately.

University of Toronto, Canada
In June 2008, Biomedical Scientists graduating at the University of Toronto, Canada, pledged to honor a scientific oath

This was their oath:

“I have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of graduate students at the University of Toronto. I declare the following:

* Pride: I solemnly declare my pride in belonging to the international community of research scholars.

* Integrity: I promise never to allow financial gain, competitiveness, or ambition cloud my judgment in the conduct of ethical research and scholarship.

* Pursuit: I will pursue knowledge and create knowledge for the greater good, but never to the detriment of colleagues, supervisors, research subjects or the international community of scholars of which I am now a member.

By pronouncing this Graduate Student Oath, I affirm my commitment to professional conduct and to abide by the principles of ethical conduct and research policies as set out by the University of Toronto.”