Articles tagged with Ethics
A philosopher at the University of Cambridge argues that interfering with others' transformative choices, such as changing careers or having children, can be morally wrong. The study suggests that there is a moral duty to allow others to make these decisions and that interference should be done with caution.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
Researchers investigate how voice technology affects consumers' willingness to disclose personal info, with potential benefits for marketers and policymakers. The study reveals that voice technology can both increase and decrease disclosure, depending on the context.
A survey by Osaka Metropolitan University found that disaster emergency wells complemented the Kumamoto city government's emergency water supply, speeding up water delivery and improving access. However, some welfare facilities did not use emergency wells despite being nearby, highlighting the importance of publicizing their locations.
Researchers found that American participants had the most positive perception of gene-edited food, while German participants saw it as less beneficial and riskier. Japanese participants' perceptions were intermediate between Germans and Americans. The study suggests that public attitudes towards emerging science are influenced by regul...
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a blueprint for incorporating ethical guidelines into AI decision-making programs. The new mathematical formula, based on the Agent, Deed, and Consequence (ADC) Model, considers intent, character, and consequences of actions to make more informed decisions.
Blastoids, derived from stem cells, mimic early embryonic development but may not develop into a fetus. Ethical considerations surround their use and regulation in research.
A study by Hun Chung questions the assumption that helping the least advantaged benefits society as a whole, finding potential gaps in Rawls' theory. The research suggests that even with an optimal state, further improvements can occur without worsening the situation of the least advantaged group.
A new study suggests that members of the public want to know if their health information or samples from their bodies will be used in research or to help develop new biomedical products. The study found that patients are more likely to want notification about research use of their health information than biospecimens.
Researchers have used a data-sharing innovation to categorise 16 uncertain BRCA variants as benign or likely benign, potentially allowing women with these variants to skip invasive surgeries. This could lead to thousands of people avoiding difficult treatments for no reason.
A new study found that children are less likely to categorize farm animals as food and show more concern for their treatment. The research suggests that humans' moral views on eating meat develop between childhood and adulthood.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
Researchers analyze over 2,000 national park names, revealing 52 places commemorating violence against Indigenous peoples and 10 using racial slurs. The study supports renaming efforts to address erasure of indigenous sovereignty.
Researchers found that a third of proposed decarbonization bills passed with bipartisan co-sponsors, while two-thirds passed in Democratic-controlled state legislatures. Bipartisan bills tended to focus on environmental social justice components and expand consumer choice.
The British Journal of Sports Medicine has retracted an editorial written by former editor Dr. Paul McCrory for significant overlap with a previously published work, highlighting the importance of adhering to ethical standards.
A new €1.4 million research project will examine how to regulate the collection and migration of health data in Africa to protect privacy and prevent exploitation. The project aims to develop legal mechanisms to protect health data, co-create guidelines with app developers, and test their feasibility with stakeholders.
The 2021 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards ceremony will be held on February 18, with winners from India, Spain, Ethiopia, Zambia and Malawi. The global awards program recognizes journalists who cover important issues in science, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
A global community of hackers and threat modellers is needed to stress-test the harm potential of new AI products. Companies can harness techniques like red team hacking, audit trails, and bias bounties to prove their integrity and earn public trust. The industry faces a 'crisis of trust' if it doesn't adopt these measures.
The review found that datasets lack images and information about patients with darker skin, which may lead to inaccurate diagnoses. The research highlights the need for better representation of diverse skin tones in training AI models.
A new study demonstrates that stories can alter judgment in early adolescents by shifting the importance of moral values. The research suggests that exposure to content featuring specific moral characteristics can absorb those traits as a building block for their own morality.
A study reveals that European tax-and-benefit systems mainly target working-aged individuals, while the elderly and young benefit disproportionately. The lifecycle redistribution machine model highlights the significant role of age in shaping welfare state policies.
A North Carolina State University panel of experts assesses AV deployment risks and benefits, predicting substantial benefits if well-regulated. The study's findings suggest regulations could limit urban use of AVs and commercial fleet ownership, reducing risk and increasing benefits.
Researchers develop low-cost DNA biomarker technique to trace cocoa beans back to specific farms of origin. This approach could help end slavery and child labor in the global cocoa industry by providing consumers with accurate information about the ethics of their chocolate purchases.
A triple-system neural model of maladaptive consumption presents a new understanding of compulsive seeking and consumption behaviors. The model identifies three brain regions that may drive maladaptive behaviors: the impulsive system, reflective system, and interoceptive-awareness system.
Resusci Annie is a plaster death mask created from an unknown woman found in the River Seine in 19th century Paris. Her face has been used in CPR training for over 50 years, helping to save an estimated 2.5 million lives, and inspiring songs like Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.
A Rutgers study found that white Americans' support for punitive immigration policies contradicts their favor for the DREAM Act, driven by racial resentment and egalitarianism. White Democrats' support is influenced by both factors, while Republicans are only driven by racial resentment.
A new Fair Priority Model proposes mitigating three types of COVID-19 harms: death, organ damage, healthcare strain, and economic destruction. The model aims to benefit people and limit harm while prioritizing the disadvantaged and giving equal moral concern to all individuals.
A new study from the Immigration Policy Lab at ETH Zurich and Stanford University found that immigrants who naturalized earned more money each year than those who didn't, with the boost in income being largest for people facing the greatest disadvantages in the labor market. Citizenship was shown to counteract discrimination in the job...
New research from Michigan State University suggests that abusive supervisors are motivated to repair relationships by engaging in more effective leader behaviors. This is driven by feelings of guilt and a desire to restore moral credit, which can lead to positive changes in workplace dynamics.
Wiseman and Grinberg propose a system to evaluate collision potential and choose the least harmful course of action for autonomous vehicles. The system uses Spatial Data Structures and Bounding Volumes to analyze possible crashes and decide on the most destructive option.
Researchers found that consumers conveniently forget or misremember products with unethical origins, such as child labor. A study involving college students and a national sample of people showed that participants were more likely to remember the quality attributes than the ethical ones.
A study found that allowing unethical customers to open multiple accounts benefits both the retailer and ethical customers, increasing purchasing power and engagement.
Research finds that companies caught in fake news scandals experience significant reputational damage, with the effects lingering for over two years. The study suggests that deceptive marketing tactics can lead to a prolonged negative impact on the offender's reputation.
A recent study from the University of Georgia found that high-performance pressure in the workplace leads to cheating behavior among employees. The study suggests that managers can help prevent this by coaching employees on viewing pressure as non-threatening and focusing on ethical performance standards.
A recent study by the University of Huddersfield reveals that UK SME jewellery producers are vulnerable to rogue traders due to their reliance on trust when sourcing materials. The research highlights the need for these businesses to develop policies on sustainability and sourcing to gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that ants walking backwards use the sun's position and visual memories to set a course relative to the sun. This flexible navigational behavior could inspire novel computer algorithms for guiding robots.
A new website created by Nicole Hassoun and a group of professors and students at Binghamton University uses big data to rank university philosophy departments and academic journals by gender, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in philosophy. The site aims to provide better data for setting targets and evaluating performance...
A new survey reveals public inconsistencies in prioritizing individual and collective safety in autonomous cars. Participants preferred self-protective vehicles over utilitarian ones, despite valuing the greater good. The findings highlight the need for regulation and challenge programmers to balance ethics and AI development.
Experts agree that there is no place for students to fear expulsion due to their sexual orientation in CACREP-accredited programs. Protections for both religious liberties and sexual minorities can coexist, the experts argue.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that wisdom levels fluctuate based on situations and social factors. Researchers suggest that certain situations promote wisdom in daily life, challenging the idea that wisdom is rare.
A University of Illinois study finds that developing relationships with young adults and modeling professional behaviors can improve their leadership development. By establishing mentorship opportunities, businesses can help emerging adults grow into confident leaders.
A recent study from Brigham Young University finds that leaders with a mix of narcissism and humility are more effective and engage their employees better. The research, which was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, suggests that when leaders balance their self-confidence with humility, they can avoid the negative traits as...
A new study analyzes the World Economic Forum's impact by conducting in-depth interviews with Davos delegates. The study reveals that Davos delegates shift the burden of solving problems from governments and corporations to individual consumers, incurring significant personal and societal costs.
Research suggests that highly guilt-prone people are valuable work partners who outwork colleagues, demonstrate effective leadership, and contribute to team success. However, they may avoid forming partnerships with more competent individuals to prevent feelings of guilt.
A new set of standards inspired by fair trade products is being implemented for 3D printing filament, which could help the poorest of the poor up the economic ladder. The recycled filament industry will need to adhere to certain fair labor and environmental practices.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) is releasing a policy statement on live surgery ethics, prioritizing patient safety. The statement aims to establish uniform standards and monitor outcomes for EAU-approved live surgery events.
Researchers found that cues influence disclosure levels, with unprofessional-looking sites encouraging more sharing of personal data. People are more willing to divulge sensitive information when presented with misleading or deceptive cues.
The eradication of smallpox achieved significant public good with lives saved and prevented. Similarly, completing polio eradication is justified by moral obligations to prevent harm and protect future generations. The authors argue that finishing the job is an ethical imperative due to the capacity and opportunity to do so.
Emory neuroscientist Lori Marino raises concerns about dolphin captivity citing complex brain structures and self-awareness. She advocates for reevaluation of industry practices due to potential psychological harm to dolphins.
A new study found that buying green products can set up moral credentials, leading people to behave more selfishly. Researchers discovered that participants who bought green products were more likely to lie and steal than those who purchased conventional products.
A Michigan scientist and ethicist argue that environmental scientists have a responsibility to advocate for environmental policy. They analyze key arguments for and against advocacy, finding that most lack soundness. The researchers conclude that more active participation by scientists in policy matters is necessary to better society.
Belief in future racial progress and support for policies addressing inequality decreased after the election, while beliefs about racial progress made in the US and Protestant work ethic increased.Obama's election is seen as a symbol of racial progress, distracting from ongoing issues with racial inequity.
Ecologists and philosophers protest a new definition of 'endangered species' that could weaken the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. The new definition limits endangered species to those at risk of extinction within their current range, which may hinder conservation efforts for species like wolves, grizzly bears, and jaguars.
A linguistics expert predicts that nearly all human languages could be extinct in two centuries if not conserved. The loss of languages would also compromise humanity's adaptability and diversity, making it harder to survive.
Actor Harrison Ford was recognized for his lifelong passion toward environmental issues, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility in conserving nature. He has been an integral part of Conservation International's mission to conserve biodiversity worldwide.
The American Academy of Neurology has established a definition for the persistent vegetative state, a condition characterized by minimal responsiveness and limited brain activity. This definition provides clarity and consistency in the diagnosis and care of patients in this state.