The Slippery Slope of Scientific Ethics
A new biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer emphasizes the personal and political over the scientific, missing an opportunity to deeply engage with scientific ethics.
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Use of AI Is Seeping Academic Journals—and It’s Proving Difficult to Detect
Use of AI Is Seeping Academic Journals—and It’s Proving Difficult to Detect
Ethics watchdogs are looking out for potentially undisclosed use of generative AI in scientific writing. But there's no foolproof way to catch it all yet.
The Younger Generation Fighting Sexual Harassment at Swiss Universities
The Younger Generation Fighting Sexual Harassment at Swiss Universities
Public awareness campaigns have not stemmed sexual harassment at Swiss universities. A new generation of women is taking matters into their own hands.
Pack Up the Parachute: Why Global North-South Collaborations Need to Change
Pack Up the Parachute: Why Global North-South Collaborations Need to Change
Global-south researchers want equal partnerships that value intellectual exchange.
Is 'Wokeism' Slowly Killing Scientific Merit? Look to the Latter for the Real Threat to Science
Is 'Wokeism' Slowly Killing Scientific Merit? Look to the Latter for the Real Threat to Science
While some worry "wokeist" ideology could corrupt scientific merit, it could be our problematic understanding of the latter that poses an even greater threat to science, two philosophers argue.
The Guardian View on Stem Cells and Embryos: Creating Life's Likeness in a Lab
Sexual Harassment Still Pervades Science
How academic institutions can prevent sexual harassment and protect scientists.
Scientific Research is Deteriorating
Several cases of renowned scientists being offered large sums of money by institutions in authoritarian countries - such as Saudi Arabia - have been exposed by EL PAIS.
German Science Minister Tells Fraunhofer to Reform Amid Allegations of Misuse of Funds
German Science Minister Tells Fraunhofer to Reform Amid Allegations of Misuse of Funds
Germany's federal research minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger is calling for sweeping reforms at the Fraunhofer Society, one of Europe's most prestigious applied research organisations, after auditors found "numerous violations" of financial rules, including members of the executive board exceeding spending limits for hotel stays and hiring luxury cars.
In Wake of Gene-Edited Baby Scandal, China Sets New Ethics Rules for Human Studies
In Wake of Gene-Edited Baby Scandal, China Sets New Ethics Rules for Human Studies
Nearly 5 years after a Chinese scientist sparked worldwide outrage by announcing he had helped create genetically edited babies, China has unveiled new rules aimed at preventing a repeat of such ethically problematic research on humans.
ChatGPT: Five Priorities for Research
Conversational AI is a game-changer for science. Here's how to respond.
New Global Body Aims to Improve Biosecurity and Biosafety
New Global Body Aims to Improve Biosecurity and Biosafety
A new global organisation is trying to prevent dramatic advances in bioscience from unleashing engineered pathogens from the lab, and wants research funders, scientists and journals to help. The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) warns that scientists might be able to order the DNA of dangerous pathogens like smallpox from unregulated companies, and wants much tighter screening of the industry.
Research Ethics and Integrity in the Context of Public Engagement
Research Ethics and Integrity in the Context of Public Engagement
The 2022 High Level Workshop on the European Research Area focused on ethics and integrity when science engages with the public, such as when advising decision makers, communicating to citizens, or having the public participate in the research process.
Alternatives to Animal Testing: Science, Ethics and the Law
Laura Rego Alvarez, Head of Science Policy & Regulation, Cruelty Free International, discusses the science and ethics behind alternatives to animal testing
Developing an Inclusive Culture at South Africa's Research Institutions
Developing an Inclusive Culture at South Africa's Research Institutions
To fully desegregate science, institutions should bolster mentorship, safe spaces and a culture of belonging.
Science, Technology and Innovation is Not Addressing World's Most Urgent Problems
Science, Technology and Innovation is Not Addressing World's Most Urgent Problems
Science, technology and innovation research is not focused on the most pressing problems: taking climate action, addressing complex underlying social issues, tackling hunger and promoting good health and wellbeing.
New 'Ethics Guidance' for Top Science Journals Aims to Root out Harmful Research - But Can It Succeed?
New 'Ethics Guidance' for Top Science Journals Aims to Root out Harmful Research - But Can It Succeed?
Nature's recent efforts to redefine the ethical responsibilities of scientists leave a lot to be desired.
Climate Change Likely to Raise Wheat Prices in Food-insecure Regions and Exacerbate Economic Inequality
Climate Change Likely to Raise Wheat Prices in Food-insecure Regions and Exacerbate Economic Inequality
Climate change is projected to significantly alter the yield and price of wheat in the coming years. Prices for the grain are likely to change unevenly and increase in much of the Global South, enhancing existing inequalities.
Evaluation of the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Initiative
Evaluation of the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Initiative
The evaluation of the Ethics and Governance of AI Initiative is presented in this report.
Tackling Helicopter Research
A new ethics framework urges researchers to promote greater equity in global collaborations.
Research Must Do No Harm: New Guidance Addresses All Studies Relating to People
Research Must Do No Harm: New Guidance Addresses All Studies Relating to People
Springer Nature editors urge consideration of the potential harms of all research relating to human populations, not just that directly involving human participants.
A Conversation: Science, Ethics, and Policy
The word "bioethics" dates only to 1927, and the subject, as an academic discipline, is only about 50 years old, but the ethical questions that accompany scientific discovery are ancient.
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