Articles tagged with Social Ethics
A new INFORMS study finds that increased service providers' social preferences may worsen societal outcomes due to customers paying higher prices for assured service. This occurs as profit-maximizing providers mimic uniform pricing strategies, leading to a decrease in served high-cost customers.
A new report by IRCM ethics experts highlights the need for increased regulation and oversight of neurostimulation techniques like tDCS. The report found a mismatch between academic and print media articles on tDCS, with most media coverage focusing on potential enhancement uses rather than therapeutic limitations.
A new study led by Drexel University's Daniel Korschun examines how frontline employees respond to corporate social responsibility activities like charitable giving, environmental programs, and ethical practices. CSR motivates employees by communicating company values, making conversations with customers easier.
Erik Fisher's Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) project brings social scientists together with natural scientists to tackle the societal impacts of emerging technologies. By collaborating on projects, they aim to mitigate negative environmental impacts and improve worker safety through responsible innovation.
A new study by Erin Cech at Rice University found that engineering students leave college less concerned about public welfare than when they entered. The research suggests that engineering education may foster a culture of disengagement regarding public welfare issues.
The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH) has proposed a method for assessing the knowledge, skills, and practice of clinical ethicists. A two-step process evaluates candidates based on their portfolio and oral examination.
Researchers emphasize understanding ethical, social and cultural impact of global health initiatives. Effective approaches to address these challenges are crucial for high-quality research.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) have released a policy paper providing guidance on best practices for physicians' online behavior. The recommendations aim to preserve trust in patient-physician relationships and protect patient interests when using social media.
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, receives the 2013 Inamori Ethics Prize for prioritizing people and the planet in his business philosophy. He has promoted sustainable practices throughout his company, including using organic cotton, reducing water footprint, and supporting grassroots environmental organizations.
A group of experts, led by Johns Hopkins bioethicists, rejects the traditional ethical paradigm guiding American healthcare and calls for a new framework that integrates clinical research and practice. The proposed 'learning healthcare system' prioritizes patients' needs, respects clinicians' judgment, and promotes continuous learning ...
A $11.9 million NSF award supports a multi-institution research network on sustainable climate risk management strategies at Penn State and nine additional universities. The network aims to develop improved analysis frameworks, mentor diverse researchers, and inform climate-related risk management decisions.
Penn State researchers are creating a new training program for doctoral students in Big Data Social Science, with the help of a $3 million NSF grant. The program aims to equip scientists with tools to address the challenges of massive and complex socially generated data.
A study by Florida International University reveals that employers use Facebook to assess job candidates, potentially creating a new digital divide. The findings raise ethical questions about the role of social media in hiring processes.
Traditional forms of polygamy are inherently unequal due to a central spouse dividing rights and obligations among multiple spouses. Modifications like polyfidelity and molecular marriage could eliminate these inequalities by promoting equal sharing of rights, responsibilities, and benefits among all spouses.
Community-engaged research raises numerous ethical issues, including conflicts between academic and community partners, risks to groups not directly participating in the research, and distress among community partners. The authors propose several best practices and a detailed research agenda to address these concerns.
Neuroscience research with military funding sparks debate over scientific validity and consequential ethical considerations. Dual-use applications include brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation technologies that may enhance or suppress neurological capacities in soldiers.
The Icelandic banking system's brief expansion raised concerns about the balance between corporate social responsibility and responsible operations. Analysis by David Sigurthorsson suggests that CSR can be divided into positive and negative obligations, with the former often taking precedence.
Researchers have developed a theory of moral self that may help explain ethical lapses in the banking and mortgage-lending industries. Individuals with high moral identity scores were more likely to behave morally, while those with low scores were less likely to do so.
Researchers Jan E. Stets and Michael J. Carter propose a theory of the moral self that may help explain the ethical lapses in the banking, investment and mortgage-lending industries. Individuals with high moral identity scores are more likely to behave morally, while those with low scores are less likely.
A study by Michigan State University found that nearly 70% of service employees engage in 'sweethearting,' giving away free goods and services to customers. By adding screening questions focused on risk-taking and ethics, employers can identify 'bad apples' and avoid hiring them.
A study suggests that moral imagination can help workers in stigmatized professions make better decisions and reduce social stigma. Organizations can foster moral imagination by promoting narratives, autonomy, and critical capacity among employees.
The American College of Physicians has released the sixth edition of its Ethics Manual, covering topics such as culturally sensitive care, social media professionalism, and research ethics. The manual provides guidance for clinicians, educators, and researchers on navigating complex ethical dilemmas in medical practice.
Researchers from across Canada have identified the genetic makeup of 75 medicinal plant species, making them available to scientists and the public online. The discovery has the potential to develop new technologies to re-create plant pathways in microbes, creating effective medicines and chemicals.
The Hastings Center Report examines the social challenges of synthetic biology, including ethical considerations and regulatory implications. Experts discuss guidelines for emerging technologies, highlighting the need for responsible stewardship and balanced analysis.
The majority of potential patients are eager for fecal microbiota transplantation to become available, despite concerns about donor selection and screening. Patients view the treatment as 'natural' and easier than currently available therapies.
A report in the Journal of Service Research found that corporate social responsibility initiatives are ineffective against criticism and bad press, as consumers separate ethics from product quality issues. To combat negative information, firms must focus on service quality and prioritize customer outcomes.
Ethicists call for UK legislation change to hold healthcare professionals accountable for patient neglect. Current law allows prosecution only when death results from serious error.
The Hastings Center has issued recommendations on growth attenuation, a controversial procedure used to restrict the growth of profoundly disabled children. The guidelines prioritize parental autonomy while establishing safeguards to ensure the child's well-being.
A new joint project between University of Nottingham and University of Bath aims to identify best practices for integrating sustainability in business school activities. The study will produce case studies guiding other schools on financial benefits and contributing to a greener future.
Two research teams from McGill University Health Centre and McGill University will analyze the effects of brominated flame retardants and phthalates on human reproduction. The five-year study aims to understand the mechanisms underlying these substances' toxicity and their potential impact on future generations.
A Johns Hopkins neurologist argues that futile and expensive end-of-life care can be a major contributor to the unaffordable cost of healthcare. He suggests weighing patient autonomy against societal costs and suggests 'nudging' families towards comfort care, particularly in cases of premature births.
The Center for the History and Ethics of Public Health at Columbia's Mailman School will use the grant to extend its intellectual mission and bring humanities insights to public health challenges. The grant will support a $3,000,000 endowment campaign for faculty chairs, lectures, and research.
COPE has issued new guidelines to tackle the issue of paper retractions, which showed that at least 42% were due to misconduct. The guidelines state that all retractions should be clearly labelled and openly accessible, and authors should not disassociate themselves from a retracted publication even if they were not directly culpable.
The March of Dimes has established two new awards to honor established scholars in perinatal ethics and encourage young researchers to enter the field. These awards will focus on moral issues before, during, and after pregnancy, including reproductive technologies and neonatal care.
Healthcare patient safety interventions face complexity due to diverse populations and technologies. Guidelines from Johns Hopkins experts suggest prioritizing rare but devastating errors over more frequent systemic problems.
A new study finds that public relations practitioners are good ethical thinkers, scoring better than orthopedic surgeons and business professionals on an ethical reasoning test. The research, conducted by two Johnson Legacy Scholars, measured the moral development of working PR professionals.
A population of 4,450 athletes showed no evidence of HCM, with only 12 cardiac abnormalities detected. Routine echocardiography is not necessary in large population screening programs for young athletes with HCM.
A study analyzing media coverage of the Schiavo case found that most articles contained medical inaccuracies and false hopes about her recovery. The researchers emphasize the importance of accurate information in end-of-life decision-making, which was challenged by relatives and public opinion during this high-profile controversy.
The Springer Handbook of Robotics presents the latest research in robotics, covering foundations to social and ethical implications. Edited by renowned experts Bruno Siciliano and Oussama Khatib, the handbook sets new standards for future developments and challenges in this scientific discipline.
A consensus statement provides guidance for whole-genome research participants regarding informed consent, withdrawal, results return, and data public release. The authors emphasize the need for robust governance and oversight mechanisms to protect participants' privacy and autonomy.
A novel ethics education project for graduate students at UD aims to increase student awareness of research ethics through small-group discussions on various issues. The project will result in a code of research ethics and integrity for UD graduate students, built from the bottom up.
The Penn Center for the Integration of Genetic Healthcare Technology will examine the certainty or uncertainty of results from genetic testing. Team members will conduct original research on genetic technologies and develop tools to educate consumers, professionals, policy makers, and insurers.
Two new centers will address critical ethical, legal and social questions in genetic and genomic research, with a focus on large-scale genomics. The centers will develop innovative research approaches and provide training for the next generation of researchers.
As personal genomics advances, researchers caution against mass adoption due to ethical, social, and clinical concerns. The integration of genome sequences into routine clinical care poses significant challenges for healthcare systems.
A research project at Kansas State University aims to improve scientific communication with the public. The team, funded by a $100,000 NSF grant, is exploring how scientists convey complex information in an ethical and effective manner.
A pioneering study has identified 13 key areas of concern for major science programs in developing countries, including community engagement, cultural acceptability, and corruption. The study aims to promote effective project planning and minimize adverse impacts on research participants.
A pioneering study identified 13 key issues, including community engagement, cultural acceptability, gender inequality, affordability, corruption and poor governance. The research aimed to prevent these challenges from hindering global health research in developing countries.
A study by Ohio State University found that most white Americans believe living as a black person would cost less than $10,000, but would need $1 million to give up television. This suggests a lack of understanding about persistent racial disparities in the US, including lower income and wealth for blacks.
The Tibetan antelope population may be increasing due to a combination of better enforcement and growing conservation ethic in local communities, according to WCS biologist George Schaller. He witnessed no direct evidence of widespread poaching during an eight-week expedition across Tibet's remote Chang Tang region.
A prototype code of ethics for life sciences aims to shape ethical practice by defining principles such as objectivity, research freedom, and virtues like duty and integrity. The code is necessary due to the high stakes of scientific advancements in human history.
The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology has published a collection of essays from leading thinkers on the societal implications of molecular manufacturing, a form of advanced nanotechnology. The essays examine both the benefits and risks of this technology, which could revolutionize industries and impact nearly all aspects of society.
A student group at the University of Washington has developed a successful grassroots effort to create science policy dialogue, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss key issues. The Forum on Science Ethics and Policy (FOSEP) aims to increase public engagement in science and policy discussions.
This study analyzes Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory without congressional consent, highlighting the ethical complexities of statesmanship and administrative ethics. The researcher concludes that while Jefferson's decision was morally complex, it ultimately served the nation's interests.
The article discusses invisible disabilities such as chronic pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These conditions often go unrecognized or underdiagnosed due to the stigma associated with disability, leading to a lack of support and acceptance for individuals who may be struggling.
This article discusses the ethics of selecting for existence, a controversial practice where parents choose not to bring into existence a person with certain characteristics. The discussion highlights concerns over the moral obligations towards individuals with disabilities and implications on social contract theory.
Disagreements over treatment decisions between healthcare professionals, patients, and families are the top ethical challenge in Canada. Key findings include emotional end-of-life critical care cases and clashes of value systems due to cultural diversity.
The article discusses the rise of online organ donation platforms like MatchingDonors.com, which have successfully paired donors with recipients. However, the medical community is divided over the ethics of soliciting organs online, with concerns about subverting the UNOS system and policing financial remuneration for living donors.
The NHGRI has launched four centers to pioneer interdisciplinary research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic knowledge. The centers will assemble teams of experts to develop innovative approaches to addressing pressing issues in genome research.
Ehrlich proposes the creation of a Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior to examine the ethical dimensions of human culture and its impact on the environment. The panel would aim to reconcile different values and explore ways to reduce inequality, promote sustainable lifestyles, and address global challenges.
University of Michigan's approach to teaching ethics in chemistry research involves providing students with critical thinking skills to handle sticky situations. By focusing on analyzing options and principles, students become more conscious of their actions and are better equipped to make informed decisions.