Ethical and Philosophical Consideration of the Dual-Use Dilemma in the Biological Sciences

Miller, Seumas; Selgelid, Michael J.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8312-9

Cited by 77 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…But the wider context of the relevant research and the necessary knowledge to meet the "imperfect duties", for instance possible security threats, can only be provided by public authorities. As the reflections of Miller and Selgelid [7] show, the task of organizing such an authority is complex and difficult and cannot be discussed in the context of the present article. However, the analysis of the possible retrospective responsibility of the individual scientist and the corresponding duties shows that it is necessary to create such authorities, not at least to discharge scientists from a responsibility which might be of low degree, but have far too heavy a weight for individuals.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…It is no solution to the "dual-use" problem to transfer total responsibility to individuals in these cases. Miller and Selgelid [7] discuss different options of how to organize this responsibility in a long recommendation on how to handle the dual-use dilemma. These options range from the autonomy of the single scientist to complete governmental control.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dual use and the ethical responsibility of scientists

Ehni

2008

Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp.

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The main normative problem in the context of dual use is to determine the ethical responsibility of scientists especially in the case of unintended, harmful, and criminal dual use of new technological applications of scientific results. This article starts from an analysis of the concepts of responsibility and complicity, examining alternative options regarding the responsibility of scientists. Within the context of the basic conflict between the freedom of science and the duty to avoid causing harm, two positions are discussed: moral skepticism and the ethics of responsibility by Hans Jonas. According to these reflections, four duties are suggested and evaluated: stopping research, systematically carrying out research for dual-use applications, informing public authorities, and not publishing results. In the conclusion it is argued that these duties should be considered as imperfect duties in a Kantian sense and that the individual scientist should be discharged as much as possible from obligations which follow from them by the scientific community and institutions created for this purpose.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual use and the ethical responsibility of scientists

Ehni

2008

Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp.

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“…Governments, that is, could impose legislation requiring that scientists adhere to codes requiring them to, among other things, (reflect upon and) report dual use issues arising with research (and/or potential publications) being proposed to relevant institutional review committees. This could be part of a broader set of regulations that also mandate the establishment of appropriate committees and specify procedures to be followed by committees reviewing studies (and/or potential publications) posing dual use dangers [13]. Such regulations might require that review committees at the level of research institutions eventually refer studies (and/or potential publications) to a governmental body or a nongovernmental regulatory authority for "higher-level review" in the most difficult cases.…”

Section: Enforcementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual-Use Research Codes of Conduct: Lessons from the Life Sciences

Selgelid

2009

Nanoethics

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This paper considers multiple meanings of the expression 'dual use' and examines lessons to be learned from the life sciences when considering ethical and policy issues associated with the dual-use nature of nanotechnology (and converging technologies). After examining recent controversial dual-use experiments in the life sciences, it considers the potential roles and limitations of science codes of conduct for addressing concerns associated with dual-use science and technology. It concludes that, rather than being essentially associated with voluntary self-governance of the scientific community, codes of conduct should arguably be part of a broader regulatory oversight system.

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“…The most difficult aspect of the dual use problem is establishing an action protocol in this type of research [26,27]. The issue is to provide an adequate level of biosecurity, while not limiting progress of scientific research.…”

Section: How Should One Approach Dual Use Research?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dilemma of Dual Use Biological Research: Polish Perspective

Czarkowski

2008

Sci Eng Ethics

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Biological research with legitimate scientific purpose that may be misused to pose a biological threat to public health and/or national security is termed dual use. In Poland there are adequate conditions for conducting experiments that could be qualified as dual use research, and therefore, a risk of attack on Poland or other countries exists. Optimal solutions for limiting such threats are required, and the national system of biosecurity should enable early, reliable, and complete identification of this type of research. Scientists should have a fundamental role in this process, their duty being to immediately, upon identification, report research with dual use potential. An important entity in the identification system of dual use research should also be the Central Register of Biological and Biomedical Research, which gathers information about all biological and biomedical research being conducted in a given country. Publishers, editors, and review committees of journals and other scientific publications should be involved in evaluating results of clinical trials. The National Council of Biosecurity should be the governmental institution responsible for developing a system of dual use research threat prevention. Its role would be to develop codes of conduct, form counsel of expertise, and monitor the problem at national level, while the Dual Use Research Committee would be responsible for individual cases. In Poland, current actions aiming to provide biological safety were based on developing and passing an act about genetically modified organisms (GMO's) and creating a GMO Committee. Considering experiences of other nations, one should view these actions as fragmentary, and thus insufficient protection against dual use research threats.

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Ethical and Philosophical Consideration of the Dual-Use Dilemma in the Biological Sciences

Cited by 77 publications

References 86 publications

Dual use and the ethical responsibility of scientists

Dual use and the ethical responsibility of scientists

Dual-Use Research Codes of Conduct: Lessons from the Life Sciences

The Dilemma of Dual Use Biological Research: Polish Perspective

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