Ethics – so crucial to the Sciences, but talk about subjective

Last semester I struggled my way through Biostatistics. What a brutal challenge that was. During the course I found myself sufficiently frustrated by the options available in relation to which statistical analyses could be used for processing data and gleaning results from. I felt that you could almost just morph and tweak the data at whim – although in practice that’s not how it really works, but it was how it seemed at first. 

To an extent that’s how I feel about ethics in the Sciences. Again, there are lots of options of ethical principles and moral considerations to choose from and apply them how you feel works best for your research, or the report you’re working on. A couple of the principles that stand out for me are Egoism and Utilitarian.

Ethical principles such as honesty and truthfulness, carefulness to limit errors or be biased, openness with data and being accepting of review, freedom to conduct research, giving credit rightly where credit is due, and educating other scientists and the public all sound like normal and ‘right’ things to do. But hang on, doesn’t everyone think that way too and abide by them? 

No. 

The reality is that some people, or companies, adopt the philosophical theory of Egoism whereby the promotion of one’s self and personal goals is the main motivator. Greed and selfishness comes to mind with this philosophy. 

Another well known philosophical theory used in the Sciences is Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism focuses on consequences with the aim to maximise and promote whichever option will do the greatest good for the greatest number. Options need to be weighed up, and although this sounds like a great fit for most situations, there could be victims. 

Why do ethical principles need to be incorporated within the Sciences? Well, Ethics help set the boundaries for whether scientific methods, research, and practices are suitable within our societal construct, and are responsibly undertaken. 

Ethics give a framework for how to respect humans and animals research subjects. They also give credibility, and add weight to any research and findings, and are more likely to be respected by key decision makers. 

In short, ethical principles aim to safe guard scientific research and practices. Just browse the ethical principles catalogue and choose which works best and then apply to your work. 

NB: Originally posted on 20 Dec 2015. Updated 18 Jan 2016. 

Plastic, plastic everywhere, how I wish you weren't there

The sheer volume of plastic waste entering our oceans is downright disgusting! An estimated 5 – 13 million tonnes of plastic waste is either drifting in our oceans, or smothering the sea bed,  or entangling marine animals, or being ingested by animals who mistakenly consume it thinking it’s tasty nutritious food – poor them being fooled by our colourful and tempting plastics. Oh and let’s not forget the convert toxic-loaded minuscule plastic particles that marine animals can’t help but avoid, as it is infused in their life-giving water.

How have we ended up in this awful environmental mess? I wonder if Leo Baekeland, the man who invented ‘plastics’ in 1907, would still feel proud of his creation? Or whether he might be filled with guilt or embarrassment over how much of a negative environmental impact plastics are now having on planet Earth.

A prime example of how absurd our love, or reliance on plastic has become is illustrated in the plastic spoon.

“It’s pretty amazing that our society has reached a point where the effort necessary to extract oil from the ground, ship it to a refinery, turn it into plastic, shape it appropriately, truck it to a store, buy it, and bring it home is considered less effort than what it takes to just wash the spoon when you’re done with it”

Yes, plastics are useful, there’s no denying that. I’ve been a long-time plastic fan myself, with a passion for Sistema containers and suchlike. I too am one of those reusable ‘plastic fantastic’ types in the human race. 

However, that’s changing. Little my little, it’s changing in me and my family. 

I’m determined to do my bit, and encourage my kids to do their bit to be part of the movement away from plastics. After all, if we all do our bit, it WILL make a difference. It won’t be easy, and part of me already feels a little sad at the prospect of one day parting with my faithful, food saving Sistema containers for alternatives such as glass, ceramic or stainless steel.  But it feels right to be heading in a plastic free direction.

It’s interesting how researching about plastic waste in our oceans for a Uni assignment has sparked a disgust for plastics in me, and is leading me on path away from plastic. I’m happy it has… and I think the environment will too. 

One day hopefully research papers can talk about how once it was estimated that between 5 - 13 million tonnes of plastic was entering our oceans, but now there is none.  

How amazing would that be?