Chm 70 - Global Code Of Ethics For Chemists.pdf

CHM 70 Chemistry Laws and Ethics Dahlia C. Apodaca, Ph.D. Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, MAPUA University

Ethical Case Studies of Chemistry • Chemical know-how is in demand for providing solutions to many global issues, including: – – – – – – –

The protection of the natural environment Energy production Nutrition for a growing world population Water treatment Healthcare Waste treatment Development of recyclable resources

Ethical Case Studies of Chemistry • Chemists must be prepared to reflect on the values, develop and analyze moral and political arguments, build moral judgments and perform responsible actions, all of which belong to the domain of ethics. • UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) recommended mandatory courses of ethics for all university students of science and engineering.

Objectives of Ethics of Chemistry course • A future generation of chemists who are able to: – Learn from previous public disputes involving the practice of chemistry by knowing how to avoid mistakes; – Conduct ethically responsible research – Develop own balanced ethical position, – stand up for their ethical position by providing justifiable ethical arguments – Communicate their ethical position to colleagues and the public

Objectives of Ethics of Chemistry course • A future generation of chemists who are able to: – Avoid being misled by corporate or governmental interests toward unethical behavior; – Uphold the good professional virtues of chemists – Contribute to the improvement of the public image of chemistry

Questions pertinent to the study of Ethics of Chemistry • What values, norms and obligations do chemists follow? • What do you as future chemists intend to achieve? • What are the broader consequences of your activities? • Are the foreseeable positive and negative outcomes, including possible risks, well balanced? • Do you make all efforts to estimate the possible outcomes based on the best available knowledge?

Questions pertinent to the study of Ethics of Chemistry • Are you responsible and to be blamed for the adverse effects of your actions, even if you did not intend to cause them? • Are the norms of both individual chemists and the chemical community in accordance with general ethical standards? • Does your research provoke conflicts with established cultural values?

Ethical Case Studies of Chemistry • Intentional misuse and misconduct – Scientific misconduct in chemistry, chemical weapons research, support of drug abuse

• Unforeseen consequences – Industrial pollutants, industrial disasters, adverse side-effects of products

Ethical Case Studies of Chemistry • Global and long-term influences and challenges – Chemical prediction of environmental or health problems, geochemical engineering, green chemistry, global human and environmental challenges for chemistry, impact on global economy

• Impact on human culture – How do chemical agendas affect cultural values, ethical principles or religious ideas? Possible cases include patenting DNA, creation of life, human enhancement, and chemical modernism

Ethical Case Studies of Chemistry • An introduction that points out why today’s chemistry students should be familiar with the case and what general lessons are to be learned; • A historically and chemically informed case description that situates the case in its organizational, institutional, broader societal or/and global context;

• A detailed ethical analysis that links the case to appropriate ethical concepts and principles and highlights, if possible, dilemmas and conflicts of interests rather than clear-cut moral judgments; • A brief discussion of comparable cases; • A list of accessible literature as references

The Hague Ethical Guidelines

• Applying the norms of the practice of chemistry to support the Chemicals Weapon Convention

Background • The responsible practice of chemistry improves the quality of life of humankind and the environment. • Through their many peaceful uses, such as in research and industry, chemicals play an essential role in this improvement.

The 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) embodies the powerful international norm against chemical weapons • Never under any circumstances: – To develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, or transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to anyone; – To use chemical weapons – To engage in any military preparations to use chemical weapons; – To assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.

Key Elements • Core element – achievements in the field of chemistry should be used to benefit humankind and protect the environment. • Sustainability – chemistry practitioners have a special responsibility for promoting and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Education – Formal and informal educational providers, enterprise, industry and civil society should cooperate to equip anybody working in chemistry and others with the necessary knowledge and tools to take responsibility for the benefit of humankind, the protection of the environment and to ensure relevant and meaningful engagement with the general public.

• Awareness and engagement – Teachers, chemistry practitioners, and policymakers should be aware of the multiple uses of chemicals, specifically their use as chemical weapons or their precursors. They should promote the peaceful applications of chemicals and work to prevent any misuse of chemicals, scientific knowledge, tools and technologies, and any harmful or unethical developments in research and innovation. They should disseminate relevant information about national and international laws, regulations, policies and practices.

• Ethics – To adequately respond to societal challenges, education, research and innovation must respect fundamental rights and apply the highest ethical standards. Ethics should be perceived as a way of ensuring high quality results in science.

• Safety and Security – Chemistry practitioners should promote the beneficial applications, uses and development of science and technology while encouraging and maintaining a strong culture of safety, health and security.

• Accountability – Chemistry practitioners have a responsibility to ensure that chemicals, equipment and facilities are protected against theft and diversion and are not used for illegal, harmful or destructive purposes. These persons should be aware of applicable laws and regulations governing the manufacture and use of chemicals, and they should report any misuse of chemicals, scientific knowledge, equipment and facilities to the relevant authorities.

• Oversight – Chemistry practitioners who supervise others have the additional responsibility to ensure that chemicals, equipment and facilities are not used by those persons for illegal, harmful or destructive purposes.

• Exchange of information – Chemistry practitioners should promote the exchange of scientific and technical information relating to the development and application of chemistry for peaceful purposes.

Global Chemists’ Code of Ethics Making Positive Change Happen • Chemical practitioners should promote a positive perception and public understanding and appreciation of chemistry. – Done through research, innovation, teamwork, collaboration, community outreach and high ethical standards

• Chemistry professionals should act as role models, mentors and advocates of the safe and secure application of chemistry to benefit humankind and preserve the environment for future generations.

Making Positive Change Happen • They should instill and encourage curiosity and innovation early and often, and recognize and award achievements where appropriate. • Chemistry professionals should provide professional inputs and opinions to government and other decision makers regarding industrial, environmental and other issues.

Environment • Chemistry professionals must use their expertise to ensure the safety and health of coworkers and the community, and to protect the environment for future generations. • Chemical practitioners should work within their organizations to help develop sound environmental plans and policies. • Chemistry professionals should encourage inclusion of environmental sustainability as a key element in chemistry instruction and engagement with the community.

Environment • Chemical practitioners are responsible to ensure the proper use and disposal of chemicals and instruments. • They should endeavor to increase their knowledge of the short and long term effects of chemicals on the environment and to apply informed quality control principles.

Research • Research in chemical sciences should benefit humankind and improve quality of life, while protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations. • Researchers should conduct their work with the highest integrity and transparency, avoid conflicts of interest, and practice collegiality in the best way. • Research should promote the exchange of new scientific and technological information and knowledge relating to the application of chemistry for the benefit of humankind and the environment.

Scientific Writing and Publishing • Chemistry professionals should promote and disseminate scientific knowledge in research and innovation through outreach, scientific writing and publication for sustainable development. • Chemistry professionals should maintain honesty and integrity in all stages of the publication process, which must meet the highest possible standards of data reproducibility and correctness without plagiarism.

Scientific writing and publishing • Chemistry professionals who supervise others have a responsibility to ensure that their scientific writings are free of defects and errors. • Chemistry professionals should promote peaceful, beneficial applications and uses of science and technology through a variety of media. • Chemistry professionals have a responsibility to assess information intended for release prior to dissemination.

Safety • Management should work with chemical practitioners in all aspects of safety including training, regular audits and the development of safety culture. There should always be awareness of safety regulations protecting health and the environment. • All chemical practitioners should exercise safety procedures. Engineering and administrative controls for safety should be in place. Proper personal protective equipment and garments should be used when working with chemicals or in an area with hazards.

Security • A culture of security is important to protect dual use of chemicals and facilities.

• All stakeholders in the chemical supply chain should ensure and practice chemical security. • Chemical practitioners should ensure that laboratories and industrial facilities have the capacity to secure chemicals.

• Security measures need to be reviewed regularly. • Management should have oversight of security and should follow all local and international laws and regulations.