Ethics, Gender & Science

Question 1

Ethics are?

Answer 1

moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity

Question 2

Ethics seek?

Answer 2

the best course of action and analyses the relationship between individual good and social good

Question 3

Wherever facts and values interact…?

Answer 3

ethical reasoning skills asses consequences of actions on the welfare of others including society and the environment

Question 4

What are facts?

Answer 4

science-based on values of coherence, simplicity and predictive success

Question 5

What are subjective values?

Answer 5

ideas not accepted by all but tolerated

- prayers in schools

Question 6

What are objective values?

Answer 6

ideas presented as facts in the domain of ethics and morals
- killing telling lies is wrong
also known as natural facts

Question 7

The Nuremberg Code of 1947 is what?

Answer 7

ethical research principles that state that

• voluntary consent is essential in research
• intended results must be for the greater good of society
• risks should not exceed benefits
• subject should be at liberty to stop at any time

Question 8

What is ethical analysis and why is it not the best measure of right and wrong ?

Answer 8

norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. however as different value systems exist in society “acceptable” and “unacceptable” are subjective

Question 9

What are some ethical theories that exist?

Answer 9

Utilitarianism: greatest good for the greatest number (ends and not the means)
Deontology: intention rather than results (rule based)
Virtue: stresses importance of the virtue and character of the person being the guide for ethical behaviour

Question 10

What are the ethical principles?

Answer 10

Beneficence: every act should aim to do some good
Non-malfeasance: do no harm
Autonomy: informed consent and self-determination
Justice: human dignity

Question 11

What are some ethical issues that exist today?

Answer 11

GMO’s - humanitarian face but really profit oriented
Living Wills - DNR’s
Abortion - all life is sacred
Stem Cell research - artificial creation and use of blastula
Human Genome editing - playing god (designer babies)
‘Good’ Eugenics - reminiscent of Lebensunwertes Leben

Question 12

What are the ethical decision making rules?

Answer 12

Clarify 
- identify all alternatives
- identify ethically justifiable options
Evaluate 
- ethical principles & values involved
- priorities values
- examine benefits, burdens & risks 
Decide 
- evaluate and make decision

Question 13

What are the Ethical Dilemmas surrounding ARTs?

Answer 13

Assisted reproductive technology are technologies used to achieve pregnancy (infertility treatments)

• reproduces traditional role as women as reproductive beings
• expensive procedure and so available only to a few
• greater possibility of birth defects

Question 14

What are the Ethical Dilemmas surrounding Neurobiology?

Answer 14

• sale of the ability to enhance certain attributes

- drugs developed for cognitive and physical disorders used by the healthy (adderall & viagra)

Question 15

What are the 2 public attitudes towards science ?

Answer 15

• provides accurate information and solutions about the natural world (disease remedies; energy, water and food security)
• responsible for environmental and social degradation (ethical dilemmas and problems)

Question 16

what constitutes the scientific code of conduct?

Answer 16

• careful and accurate data collection and recording
• ethical committies
• fairness, trust cooperation
• credit other’s work
• peer and expert review

Question 17

What are a Scientists responsibilities?

Answer 17

• duty to examine social implications and provide information
• acknowledge source of funds
• research to benefit societies needs
• promote moral & societal values
• inform the public
• oppose abuse and misuse of research findings

Question 18

Define science

Answer 18

knowledge of nature obtained using objective; neutral and value free methods

Question 19

Define sex

Answer 19

one’s biology - male vs female - determined in utero

Question 20

define gender

Answer 20

socially constructed identities as reflected in behavior, attitudes and power relations between men and women

Question 21

Define sexuality

Answer 21

sexual preferences - how one expresses oneself sexually - ranges from highly sexed to asexual

Question 22

Define gender identity

Answer 22

ones personal experience of ones gender

• correlating with assigned sex or differing from it
• masculine, feminine, transgender blah, blah, blah

Question 23

What is meant by the masculinity of science?

Answer 23

the belief that science had traditional male characteristics (objectivity and rationality) and sought to investigate nature (nature was seen as female)

female characteristics were also seen as emotional passive and sensitive

Question 24

What is meant by gender equality?

Answer 24

the ability by both men and women to enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society

Question 25

the concept of a “leaky pipeline” suggests what?

Answer 25

although numbers of female participants of science; pursuants or employees have increased there are still underrepresented at the higher decision making levels