New Ethical Code for Scientists. (January 6, 2006)

    The Council for Science and Technology (CST) have issued a new ethical code for scientists and in a statement just released the Royal Society says it "provides a useful basis for producing more detailed codes of practice for specific disciplines".

In the opinion of the Royal Society the many professional societies and funding bodies with existing codes re-examine them to ensure that all of the principles outlined in the CST code are addressed. It also noted that "the code has considerable value as an educational and as awareness raising tool to ensure that scientists are reminded of their legal and ethical responsibilities and to remind them that they should consider the potential consequences of their own research," and the vice-president of the RS added, "[I]t could certainly provide a context in which a junior member of staff, for example, could 'whistle blow' if they saw that the guiding principles were being broken. In order for it to be effective in this way, we have recommended that the code should be supported by practical examples of how it might be used and when it applies."

For specifics on the code, consultation and the full response of the RS click here.

Note also the January 6 item in the CST's "What's New" page.