Articles tagged with Social Ethics
A new series of essays explores the ethics and social issues raised by brain research, including post-trial obligations for human participants in neural-device trials. The studies reveal that injury and illness rob individuals of personal identity, while neuromodulation can restore it.
Oxford researchers call for a more considered approach to AI development for children, highlighting four main challenges in applying existing ethical principles. The study recommends ensuring fair digital access, transparency, and safety, while involving children in system development.
A new study published in the Journal of Business Ethics found that team-based reward systems can lead to employees remaining silent when witnessing unethical behavior from fellow team members. The research suggests that these systems can create an environment where undesirable behavior is suppressed, making it less likely to be reported.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released a points to consider statement on the safety and efficacy of polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection. The statement concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support its clinical utility, and further research is needed.
A Brazilian study analyzed how low-income communities deal with the effects of the economic crisis in São Paulo city. The research found that entrepreneurship is a main strategy used by members of poor communities to participate in the economy, with over 15 million people registered as micro-entrepreneurs nationwide.
A new study by the University of Exeter suggests that incorporating spaces for repairing and remaking clothes in shopping centers can promote sustainable fashion practices. Participants who took part in workshops reported engaging in more environmentally-oriented behaviors, such as buying fewer items and sourcing clothes ethically.
A large survey study found that people are willing to engage in immoral behaviors and judgments when participating in political discourse. The researchers attribute this to genuine internal dislike of the opposing party, leading to moral ambiguity. Politics makes us do things we wouldn't normally do, fuelled by outrage politics.
A recent study investigates how deceased individuals' consent affects societal acceptance of digital resurrection. The research found that explicit consent increases acceptability by two points, while 59% of respondents disagree with their own digital resurrection, highlighting the need for clear legal regulations on the subject.
A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals that during a UK recession, consumers tend to keep up more expensive ethical purchases like fair trade products. The study found that the amount spent on organic products declined, while fair trade product sales increased.
A new framework for using AI in healthcare considers medical knowledge, practices, and procedures to improve patient care. The proposed framework provides practical guidance for designers, funders, and users on how to integrate AI systems with the greatest potential to help patients.
A systematic review of global guidelines for AI use found that most valued principles such as transparency, security, and justice. However, fewer guidelines prioritized truthfulness, intellectual property, and children's rights. Most guidelines were normative but lacked practical methods for implementation.
A global team of bioethicists, health policy experts, and space professionals developed guiding principles to ensure human research in space is safe and inclusive. The proposed guidelines address four key principles: social responsibility, scientific excellence, proportionality, and global stewardship.
Corporate scandals have led to increased scrutiny of corporations' ethics culture. New research from the University of Notre Dame reveals that firms are addressing this issue through longer and more moralized public ethics documents, often with notable changes in language.
A population genetics team identified genetic relationship between 23andMe users and enslaved Africans in Catoctin Furnace, Maryland. The researchers consider ethics of sharing results with descendants and other relatives, highlighting importance of proper consent and minimizing harm.
The European Union's Doctoral Training Network in Sport Ethics and Integrity aims to educate a new generation of experts who can detect and prevent threats to sports integrity. The program will engage research on aspects of integrity in sports at the doctoral level, with a focus on doping, match-fixing, data protection, and abuse.
EPFL researchers used Chat-GPT to design a working robotic tomato harvester, showcasing the AI tool's potential for collaborating with humans in robotic design. The study highlights opportunities and risks of applying artificial intelligence to robotics, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of LLMs' role in design.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found similarities in COVID-19 mortality rates between certain US states and Canadian provinces, highlighting the importance of localized public health strategies. The findings suggest that factors such as population density, age, and socioeconomic conditions may have contributed to these s...
Researchers propose a four-step process for guiding the use of ChatGPT in education, identifying desired outcomes, determining automation levels, ensuring ethical considerations, and evaluating effectiveness. The study finds that ChatGPT can improve teaching models, assessment systems, and student learning experiences.
The UMD-led TRAILS institute will develop AI technologies that promote trust and mitigate risks through broader participation, new technology development, and informed governance. The institute aims to create AI systems that align with values and interests of diverse groups, leading to increased transparency, reliability, and accountab...
Researchers have proposed a set of 10 simple rules for socially responsible science, aiming to minimize harm to individuals and social groups. The rules emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives, transparent reporting, and rigorous review processes.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a statement addressing factors that contribute to bias in clinical genetic testing. The statement highlights three main areas: environmental, clinical, and technical biases, which affect health equity for individuals from historically marginalized populations.
A national survey of radiologists reveals moral distress is widespread, often stemming from high case volumes and lack of administrative support. The study highlights the need for education of leadership regarding causes of distress among frontline workers to address this issue.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
Researchers developed an ethical algorithm to distribute risk fairly in autonomous vehicles, considering multiple factors such as responsibility and traffic regulations. The new approach enables more nuanced decision-making in critical situations, weighing risks and avoiding aggressive maneuvers.
The study identifies four key drivers of political violence in the United States: toxic polarization, identity-based ideologies, erosion of democratic norms, and disinformation. These drivers contribute to increased acceptance of political violence and undermine democratic institutions.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that fairy tales are a valid resource for teaching primary students about social justice and emotional intelligence. Experienced teacher Glenn Saxby suggests presenting fairy tales in a critical and inclusive manner to help explain complex issues to children.
The article emphasizes the need to incorporate Indigenous self-determination into research, respecting knowledge, ethics, and processes. This move aims to address historical injustices and promote more equitable health research practices.
The study examines four CSR dimensions and their impact on institutional investment in the hospitality and tourism sector, finding strong reactions to performance in social awareness and corporate governance. Environmental concerns have limited bearing on institutional investment in this industry.
A recent study by University of Eastern Finland explores how care ethics in social entrepreneurship benefits society as equally as profit margins. Practising care ethics in businesses enhances local communities' self-esteem and economic activity, while also addressing social structures that maintain poverty and exclusion.
Xie aims to develop algorithms that reflect human domain knowledge and reasoning patterns, increasing trust in machine learning models. He also explores algorithmic fairness, considering multiple perspectives on what's considered fair, to address concerns about biased decision-making.
A bioethicist contends that crisis-care protocols should ignore patients' age, proposing instead a patient-specific values approach. She suggests using a Clinical Frailty Scale to predict near-term survival and considers a lottery as the fairest way to prioritize individuals under dire conditions.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to model first impressions and accurately predict how people will be perceived based on a photograph of their face. The algorithm's findings align with common intuitions or cultural assumptions, such as people who smile being seen as more trustworthy.
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.
The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has published a special issue of The Anatomical Record examining its complex history and addressing structural racism and questionable ethics. The issue proposes recommendations for creating an inclusive future for the field.
Researchers surveyed over 26,000 genetic genealogy participants about their experiences discovering previously unknown relatives. Most reported learning the identity of at least one relative, with some finding close family ties and others experiencing life-changing discoveries.
Researchers found AI-synthesized faces to be nearly indistinguishable from real faces and rated as more trustworthy. The study's results have significant implications for the spread of manipulated images, including potential use in revenge porn and propaganda.
A Cornell University study found that a high self-concept of professionalism can lead to greater acceptance of conflicts of interest and bias. Managers with a deep understanding of the concept are more likely to remain objective and ethical.
The grant aims to create toolkits and training for AI developers to prevent existing structural inequalities from becoming embedded into emerging technology. Researchers will investigate the impact of AI on core human values, including democratic rights and minority rights.
The global healthcare cost of female genital mutilation (FGM) is estimated to double from $1.4 billion in 2018 to $2.1 billion by 2047 in 27 countries, with the number of affected women and girls rising to 205 million per year. Abandoning FGM completely could reduce costs to $0.8 billion annually.
Samuel Galgano and Pankaj Gupta have been named the 2022 Melvin M. Figley Fellow in Radiology Journalism and the 2022 Lee F. Rogers International Fellow in Radiology Journalism, respectively. They will attend the 2022 ARRS Annual Meeting and participate in the Editor’s Forum.
A new framework, known as the Character Lens perspective, has been developed to account for patterns in individuals' understanding of and approach to ethical choices. This framework acknowledges the significant role of moral character in influencing how people perceive the world and make decisions.
Physicians in Colorado are more willing than expected to provide medical aid in dying, with 81% open to discussing the topic and 88% willing to make referrals. However, 46% were unwilling to serve as consultants, highlighting the need for better understanding of the challenges physicians face in this practice.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo found that public trust in AI varies greatly depending on the application and demographic factors. They developed an octagonal visual metric to quantify these attitudes and hope it can lead to a universal scale for measuring ethical issues around AI.
A new report by The Hastings Center suggests that releasing gene-edited species into the wild demands deep public engagement. The report proposes a path forward for inclusive, values-based decision-making through public deliberation.
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.
A Baylor University-led study found significant deficiencies in organizational listening, particularly among women and non-managers. The survey revealed that employees are reluctant to share concerns due to a lack of responsive management and inauthentic approaches to feedback.
A team of international researchers has developed a globally-applicable ethical code for ancient human DNA research, aiming to address social and cultural implications. The code proposes cooperation with stakeholders, minimal damage to human remains, and respect for indigenous communities' perspectives.
Researchers at Lancaster University examine the use of AI in the food sector, highlighting the need for trusted data collaboration to reduce waste and increase sustainability. They also warn about potential ethical issues and unexpected consequences of new technology.
A new study examines the effect of corporate social responsibility on consumers' actual purchase behavior, finding that corrective and compensating CSR actions boost sales, while cultivating CSR initiatives lead to slight drops. The study also reveals that sincere motives play a crucial role in consumer perception of CSR.
Researchers explore human-forest interactions across space and time to understand the origins of the Anthropocene in tropical forests. The study reveals that traditional Indigenous land management has long-term significance in tropical regions, highlighting the need for fairer and more sustainable futures.
A new study by Brigham Young University and Inha University found that diverse organizations with ethical leaders reduce conflict and racial discrimination. Ethical leaders model integrity, honesty, and respect, which employees emulate to treat others fairly.
A new study proposes a practical way of measuring how different nations should reduce carbon emissions to maximize worldwide wellbeing. The utilitarian approach assigns different emission reduction goals to countries based on their wealth and ability to grow and maintain citizens' health.
More than 100 resolutions have been passed naming racism a public health crisis, with less than 1 in 5 explicitly mentioning funding for initiatives. The surge is linked to greater national attention brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
BCIs have the potential to profoundly shape human experience and sense of self, but also raise concerns about intellectual property, emotional data privacy, and exacerbating social inequalities. Global policymakers must intervene to prevent misuse and ensure equal access to neurotech.
A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that consumers are willing to pay a premium price for ecolabeled coffee, with an average increase of $1.36 per pound. The study also revealed that Organic ecolabeling has the highest value, followed by Fairtrade and COOL.
The article commemorates the 40th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic with a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. The piece explores the experiences of American physicians who were central to the epidemic, describing their work as
The new journal, Current Cosmetic Science, publishes original research on skin, cosmetic, and cosmeceutical products. The journal explores various aspects of cosmetics science, including natural product isolation and their beneficial effects.
A study found that firms tend to follow the pecking order theory, drawing down internal funds before relying on debt financing after negative E&S incidents. Firms with high CSR reputation are better able to cushion the impacts of such incidents. Financially constrained firms react differently due to limited access to equity markets.
Brown professor Rose McDermott and Penn State University's Peter K. Hatemi argue that the use of computers, social media, and other digital tools in field experiments can cause harm to individuals and societies. They call for updated ethical standards to address potential risks in large-scale experiments.
Digital contact tracing apps face challenges due to uncertainties about awareness, privacy risks and effectiveness. An adaptive governance framework is proposed as a solution to address these concerns and promote public engagement, technical, legal and ethical oversight.