A Scientist's Oath.

Data on the perceptions of scientists suggest a moderate public distrust of scientist's motivations. Bettridge et al. suggest scientist's reluctance to engage the public on controversial ethical issues may be a contributing factor. The authors propose a Scientist's Oath to send a clear message to the public about our ideals.

The revised International Code of Medical Ethics: an exercise in international professional ethical self-regulation.

The World Medical Association (WMA), the global representation of the medical profession, first adopted the International Code of Medical Ethics (ICoME) in 1949 to outline the professional duties of physicians to patients, other physicians and health professionals, themselves and society as a whole. The ICoME recently underwent a major 4-year revision process, culminating in its unanimous adoption by the WMA General Assembly in October 2022 in Berlin. This article describes and discusses the ICoME, its revision process, the controversial and uncontroversial issues, and the broad consensus achieved among WMA constituent members, representing over 10 million physicians worldwide. The authors analyse the ICoME, including its response to contemporary changes and challenges like ethical plurality and globalisation, in light of ethical theories and approaches, reaching the conclusion that the document is a good example of international ethical professional self-regulation.

Values-Based Medicine Is an Ethical Concept for Implementing the Ethical Principles in Daily Practice.

Values-based medicine (VsBM) is an ethical concept, and bioethical framework has been developed to ensure that medical ethics and values are implemented, pervasive, and powerful parameters influencing decisions about health, clinical practice, teaching, medical industry, career development, malpractice, and research. Neurosurgeons tend to adopt ethics according to their own values and to what they see and learn from teachers. Neurosurgeons, in general, are aware about ethical codes and the patient's rights. However, the philosophy, concept, and principles of medical ethics are rarely included in the training programs or in training courses. The impact of implementing, observing the medical ethics and the patients' value and culture on the course, and outcome of patients' management should not underestimate. The main principles of medical ethics are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, dignity, and honesty, which should be strictly observed in every step of medical practice, research, teaching, and publication. Evidence-based medicine has been popularized in the last 40-50 years in order to raise up the standard of medical practice. Medical ethics and values have been associated with the medical practice for thousands of years since patients felt a need for treatment. There is no conflict between evidence-based medicine and values-based medicine, as a medical practice should always be performed within a frame of ethics and respect for patients' values. Observing the principles of values-based medicine became very relevant as multicultural societies are dominant in some countries and hospitals in different corners of the world.

Defining "Ethical Mathematical Practice" Through Engagement with Discipline-Adjacent Practice Standards and the Mathematical Community.

This project explored what constitutes "ethical practice of mathematics". Thematic analysis of ethical practice standards from mathematics-adjacent disciplines (statistics and computing), were combined with two organizational codes of conduct and community input resulting in over 100 items. These analyses identified 29 of the 52 items in the 2018 American Statistical Association Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice, and 15 of the 24 additional (unique) items from the 2018 Association of Computing Machinery Code of Ethics for inclusion. Three of the 29 items synthesized from the 2019 American Mathematical Society Code of Ethics, and zero of the Mathematical Association of America Code of Ethics, were identified as reflective of "ethical mathematical practice" beyond items already identified from the other two codes. The community contributed six unique items. Item stems were standardized to, "The ethical mathematics practitioner…". Invitations to complete the 30-min online survey were shared nationally (US) via Mathematics organization listservs and other widespread emails and announcements. We received 142 individual responses to the national survey, 75% of whom endorsed 41/52 items, with 90-100% endorsing 20/52 items on the survey. Items from different sources were endorsed at both high and low rates. A final thematic analysis yielded 44 items, grouped into "General" (12 items), "Profession" (10 items) and "Scholarship" (11 items). Moreover, for the practitioner in a leader/mentor/supervisor/instructor role, there are an additional 11 items (4 General/7 Professional). These results suggest that the community perceives a much wider range of behaviors by mathematicians to be subject to ethical practice standards than had been previously included in professional organization codes. The results provide evidence against the argument that mathematics practitioners engaged in "pure" or "theoretical" work have minimal, small, or no ethical obligations.

The Role of Engineering Ethics in Mitigating Corruption in Infrastructure Systems Delivery.

Indications that corruption mitigation in infrastructure systems delivery can be effective are found in the literature. However, there is an untapped opportunity to further enhance the efficacy of existing corruption mitigation strategies by placing them explicitly within the larger context of engineering ethics, and relevant policy statements, guidelines, codes and manuals published by international organizations. An effective matching of these formal statements on ethics to infrastructure systems delivery facilitates the identification of potential corruption hotspots and thus help establish or strengthen institutional mechanisms that address corruption. This paper reviews professional codes of ethics, and relevant literature on corruption mitigation in the context of civil engineering infrastructure development, as a platform for building a structure that connects ethical tenets and the mitigation strategies. The paper assesses corruption mitigation strategies against the background of the fundamental canons of practice in civil engineering ethical codes. As such, the paper's assessment is grounded in the civil engineer's ethical responsibilities (to society, the profession, and peers) and principles (such as safety, health, welfare, respect, and honesty) that are common to professional codes of ethics in engineering practice. Addressing corruption in infrastructure development continues to be imperative for national economic and social development, and such exigency is underscored by the sheer scale of investments in infrastructure development in any country and the billions of dollars lost annually through corruption and fraud.

Australia II: A Case Study in Engineering Ethics.

Australia II became the first foreign yacht to win the America's Cup in 1983. The boat had a revolutionary wing keel and a better underwater hull form. In official documents, Ben Lexcen is credited with the design. He is also listed as the sole inventor of the wing keel in a patent application submitted on February 5, 1982. However, as reported in New York Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and Professional Boatbuilder, the wing keel was in fact designed by engineer Peter van Oossanen at the Netherlands Ship Model Basin in Wageningen, assisted by Dr. Joop Slooff at the National Aerospace Laboratory in Amsterdam. Based on telexes, letters, drawings, and other documents preserved in his personal archive, this paper presents van Oossanen's account of how the revolutionary wing keel was designed. This is followed by an ethical analysis by Martin Peterson, in which he applies the American NSPE and Dutch KIVI codes of ethics to the information provided by van Oossanen. The NSPE and KIVI codes give conflicting advice about the case, and it is not obvious which document is most relevant. This impasse is resolved by applying a method of applied ethics in which similarity-based reasoning is extended to cases that are not fully similar. The key idea, presented in Peterson's book The Ethics of Technology (Peterson, The ethics of technology: A geometric analysis of five moral principles, Oxford University Press, 2017), is to use moral paradigm cases as reference points for constructing a "moral map".

Regulatory and Ethical Considerations on Artificial Intelligence for Occupational Medicine.

Generative artificial intelligence and Large Language Models are reshaping labor dynamics and occupational health practices. As AI continues to evolve, there's a critical need to customize ethical considerations for its specific impacts on occupational health. Recognizing potential ethical challenges and dilemmas, stakeholders and physicians are urged to proactively adjust the practice of occupational medicine in response to shifting ethical paradigms. By advocating for a comprehensive review of the International Commission on Occupational Health ICOH code of Ethics, we can ensure responsible medical AI deployment, safeguarding the well-being of workers amidst the transformative effects of automation in healthcare.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONERS IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALIZATION.

In the ever-evolving landscape of public relations (PR), the significance of professional ethics has become increasingly pronounced, particularly in the digital age. This article embarks on a journey to synthesize the dynamic evolution of professional ethics in public relations and underscores the pressing need for its application in contemporary communication landscapes. Exploring the core values and principles that underpin ethical practices, the study extends to the alignment of these principles with fundamental human rights. A focal point of this article is an examination of the findings derived from research conducted among Armenian public relations practitioners, offering valuable insights into the challenges posed by the digital age. In this era of rapid digitalization, the traditional ethical codes that once governed the realm of public relations are facing unprecedented challenges. The classic ethical standards, while foundational, are now confronted with a shifting landscape shaped by the proliferation of social networks and online communication platforms. This article scrutinizes the practitioners' perspectives on the development of ethical standards, exploring questions of geographical and contextual relevance in the face of technological advancements. As the digital age transforms the dynamics of communication, the limitations of traditional PR ethics become increasingly apparent. The discussion highlights the intricacies of professional ethics within the realm of social networks, shedding light on the nuanced ethical considerations that emerge in this digitalized era. Amidst this exploration, a crucial issue emerges - the imperative for the preservation of ethical standards in public relations. The article contends that the challenges posed by digitalization necessitate a revision of the conventional PR ethical code. While the foundations remain relevant, there is a pressing need for an updated ethical framework that can effectively navigate the complex ethical terrain presented by social networks and digital communication channels. In conclusion, the article endeavors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of professional ethics in public relations, emphasizing the transformative impact of digitalization. By examining the standpoints of Armenian public relations practitioners, it sheds light on the challenges faced in this digital age and advocates for a proactive approach to adapt and enhance ethical standards in response to the dynamic communication landscape.

Spheres of Morality: The Ethical Codes of the Medical Profession.

The medical profession contains five "spheres of morality": clinical care, clinical research, scientific knowledge, population health, and the market. These distinct sets of normative commitments require physicians to act in different ways depending on the ends of the activity in question. For example, a physician-scientist emphasizes patients' well-being in clinic, prioritizes the scientific method in lab, and seeks to maximize shareholder returns as a board member of a pharmaceutical firm. Physicians increasingly occupy multiple roles in healthcare and move between them frequently, creating the possibility of conflict between the ethical obligations of their various roles. This paper examines the entire moral landscape of medicine through the lens of role morality. It develops a novel framework that helps physicians recognize how their moral commitments depend on the nature and context of the situation, clarifies ethical conflicts that physicians face, and concludes with ideas for resolving these conflicts.

The promises and limitations of codes of medical ethics as instruments of policy change.

Codes of medical ethics (codes) are part of a longstanding tradition in which physicians publicly state their core values and commitments to patients, peers, and the public. However, codes are not static. Using the historical evolution of the Canadian Medical Association's Code of Ethics as an illustrative case, we argue that codes are living, socio-historically situated documents that comprise a mix of prescriptive and aspirational content. Reflecting their socio-historical situation, we can expect the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic to prompt calls to revise codes. Indeed, Alex John London has argued in favour of specific modifications to the World Medical Association's International Code of Medical Ethics (which has since been revised) in light of moral and scientific failures that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to London, we address the more general question: should codes be modified to reflect lessons drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic or future such upheavals? We caution that codes face limitations as instruments of policy change because they are inherently interpretive and 'multivocal', that is, they usually underdetermine or provide more than one answer to the question, 'What should I do now?' Nonetheless, as both prescriptive and aspirational documents, codes also serve as tools for reflection and deliberation-collective practices that are necessary to engaging with and addressing the moral and scientific uncertainties inherent to medicine.

An ethical code for collecting, using and transferring sensitive health data: outcomes of a modified Policy Delphi process in Singapore.

One of the core goals of Digital Health Technologies (DHT) is to transform healthcare services and delivery by shifting primary care from hospitals into the community. However, achieving this goal will rely on the collection, use and storage of large datasets. Some of these datasets will be linked to multiple sources, and may include highly sensitive health information that needs to be transferred across institutional and jurisdictional boundaries. The growth of DHT has outpaced the establishment of clear legal pathways to facilitate the collection, use and transfer of potentially sensitive health data. Our study aimed to address this gap with an ethical code to guide researchers developing DHT with international collaborative partners in Singapore. We generated this code using a modified Policy Delphi process designed to engage stakeholders in the deliberation of health data ethics and governance. This paper reports the outcomes of this process along with the key components of the code and identifies areas for future research.

Development and validation of the code of ethics for midwives in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Considering ethical issues in midwifery care is essential for improving the quality of health services and the client's satisfaction. This study aimed to develop and validate the code of ethics for Midwives in Iran (ICEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a mixed sequential study that was performed in three phases including a qualitative study, a review, and the content validity assessment. The first phase was a qualitative study with a content analysis approach. The data were collected by conducting in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with 14 midwifery and ethics experts. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit the participants and sampling continued until data saturation. The data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis described by Graneheim and Lundman. Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used to confirm the trustworthiness of the data. Then, a narrative review of the selected national and international codes of ethics for Midwives was performed to complete the items of the ICEM. For validity assessment, the face and content validity of the items of ICEM was assessed by 15 experts to calculate the content validity ratio (CVR) and index (CVI). RESULTS: Fourteen experts were interviewed in the qualitative phase, and 207 codes were extracted from a content analysis which were categorized into 23 sub-categories and 6 main categories. The extracted codes were considered as the items for ICEM that were completed by a review of the selected national and international code of ethics for Midwives. The content validity and ratio assessment of the items demonstrated an average CVI = 0.92 and CVR = 0.85. Then, the final version of ICEM was developed with 92 items in 6 domains about; 1) "professional Commitments" with 30 items; 2) "providing midwifery services to the client and her companions" with 26 items; 3) "relationship with colleagues" with 11 items; 4) "herself" with 6 items; 5) "education and research" with 8 items; and, 6) "management" with 11 items. CONCLUSION: ICEM was prepared with 92 items in six sections that facilitate its use for midwives who are working in the different fields of care, counseling, education, research, and management. In this new version of the ICEM, the items related to recent social-, scientific, and technical improvements were considered for providing ethical midwifery care.

Applying a Foucauldian lens to the Canadian code of ethics for registered nurses as a discursive mechanism for nurses professional identity.

This study examines the Canadian Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses as a discursive mechanism for shaping nurses' professional identity using a Foucauldian lens. Nurses are considered essential in healthcare, yet the nursing profession has struggled to be recognized for its discipline-specific knowledge and expertise and, as such, has remained the subject of and subject to the dominant discourses within healthcare and society generally. Developing a professional identity in nursing begins after the necessary education and training are achieved and embodies the profession's history, values, code of ethics, and expectations of the profession that distinguish it from other professions. Since nurses' professional identity is shaped through discourse, it raises the question of whether there are spaces to reconceptualize nurses' subject position within health care. Since professional identity is considered the embodiment of knowledge and practice, the code of ethics bears examination both for its effect on nurses' professional identity and as a potential site from which to challenge hegemonic assumptions. This article discusses the concept of professional identity in nursing and its development through the discursive formations in the code of ethics. The sources of power/knowledge are examined as both mechanisms of control and as spaces for change.

Scientific consensus views are useful, but dangerous, without a code of ethics.

Using the Fukushima accident experience, this letter discusses recent efforts on measuring scientific consensus views-that is, quantifying the agreement among scientists. In the field of radiological protection, the efforts to measure scientific consensus views deserve attention, because hoaxes have been spreading even after the Fukushima nuclear accident. We discussed two points. First, the visualization of the diversity of scientific opinions shatters the diversity illusion caused by the mass media's irresponsible dissemination of pro and con arguments. Second, the use of scientific consensus views without an ethical code is dangerous. Measuring scientific consensus views should be accompanied with the development of ethical guidelines on using it.

The new Code of Ethics of the World Psychiatric Association: A fresh look at the ethical issues of the psychiatric profession.

This article develops the WPA's new Code of Ethics that was developed in 2020. It succeeds the Declaration of Hawaii of 1977 and the Declaration of Madrid of 1996. The Code is divided into four sections that cover the practice of psychiatry in clinical practice, education, research and publication as well as public mental health. We will discuss the new ethical issues that this Code raises in parallel with the development of psychiatry and psychiatrists' role in society in recent years.

[Revising the Taiwan Code of Ethics for Nurses].

BACKGROUND: The 2005 revision of the code of ethics for nurses has been in effect in Taiwan for more than 17 years. Although this code has been smoothly implemented during this time, changing social expectations and ethical perspectives, advancements in science and technology, and the evolution of the nurse-patient relationship suggest this code should be once again be updated. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to suggest revisions to the Taiwan code of ethics for nurses necessary to meet current needs and address social and medical care environment trends. METHODS: A multivariate research approach was adopted. The classification of the code of ethics for nurses norms in six international nursing organizations and evidence-based ethical and philosophical thinking literature were referenced, with the main notification demands incorporated into the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Nursing Workplace Controversy Reporting Platform. After drafting the aspects and provisions of Taiwan code of ethics for nurses norms, expert review procedures such as focus groups, Delphi expert consensus, and public forums were conducted. RESULTS: After three expert focus group discussion rounds, a structured questionnaire was completed, and 50 Delphi experts in six fields completed the online questionnaire. After the second consensus round, the importance and clarity of the 47 ethical code provisions in the four aspects were determined with 100% and 99.8% agreement reached, indicating no significant difference in scores between the multidisciplinary expert group and the ethical code. The resulting revision proposed for the Taiwan code of ethics for nurses includes: nursing staff and care recipients (14 provisions), nursing staff and practice (13 provisions), nursing staff and the profession (10 provisions), and nursing staff and society (10 provisions). CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In terms of education, the revised Taiwan code of ethics for nurses should be integrated into the nursing education curriculum of nursing colleges and used as teaching material for the continuing education of nurses. In terms of policy, these norms should be included as evaluation benchmarks and inspection items for hospitals. In addition, the attention and support of senior managers in institutions must be secured and a handling protocol for moral dilemma cases and related consultation mechanisms must be established. Nursing supervisors should be guided to develop the ability to address these dilemmas to help foster a positive workplace and a respectful team atmosphere. All professional groups should participate actively in promoting issues related to nursing ethics, organize seminars and continuing education activities, and make the revised Taiwan code of ethics for nurses and learning cases available online for reference by nursing staff nationwide.

Incorporating Faith into Ethics Education.

ABSTRACT: Preparing students for ethical situations they will face in practice should be incorporated into nursing curricula, especially programs with a Christian focus. Linking ethical concepts with tenets from Scripture can increase students' confidence in their ability to respond through a biblical worldview to ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. Specific assignments can be geared to help students think critically about the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (Code) and biblical responses to ethical situations. Sample assignments are presented for the nine provisions of the Code.

Codes of ethics for psychiatrists: past, present and prospect.

BACKGROUND: Codes of ethics in medicine have an ancient tradition, extending back to the Oath of Hippocrates. Yet it was only in the early 1970s that the speciality of psychiatry developed a specific code to address the unique ethical dilemmas and complexities arising in psychiatric practice. As the 50th anniversary of the publication of psychiatry's first code of ethics approaches, it is timely to reflect on the progress, role, and impact of such codes.Our aim is to provide a historically informed review of codes of ethics in psychiatry - their origins and evolution, the current picture, and the possibilities for future development. METHODS: We conducted a selective review of relevant literature (including all codes of ethics accessible on the websites of World Psychiatric Association members states), analysis of the form and content of codes and related documents in psychiatry, and interviews of psychiatrists who have played central roles in their evolution. RESULTS: Of the 143 WPA member states, only 15 codes of ethics for psychiatrists were identified, and few of these were associated with professional disciplinary processes. We found that these codes are rarely revised and sometimes supplemented with other statements and guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: While there are difficulties in measuring the direct effectiveness of codes of ethics on the practice of psychiatrists, we conclude that these codes help to (1) promote professional solidarity and autonomy, (2) enhance moral sensitivity, and (3) aid in psychiatric education and training.

Evaluating the prevalence and quality of conference codes of conduct.

Efforts to increase inclusion in science face multiple barriers, including cultural and social behaviors in settings such as academic conferences. Conferences are beneficial, but the culture can promote inequities and power differentials that harm historically underrepresented groups. Science suffers when conference culture propagates exclusion and discrimination that leads to attrition of scientists. Codes of conduct represent a tool to shift conference culture to better support diverse scientists and clearly detail unacceptable behaviors. We examined the prevalence and content of codes of conduct at biology conferences in the United States and Canada. We highlight how codes of conduct address issues of sexual misconduct and identity-based discrimination. Surprisingly, only 24% of the 195 surveyed conferences had codes. Of the conferences with codes, 43% did not mention sexual misconduct and 17% did not mention identity-based discrimination. Further, 26% of these conferences failed to include a way to report violations of the code and 35% lacked consequences for misconduct. We found that larger and national conferences are more likely to have codes than smaller (P = 0.04) and international or regional (P = 0.03) conferences. Conferences that lack codes risk creating and perpetuating negative environments that make underrepresented groups feel unwelcome, or worse, actively cause harm. We recommend that conferences have codes that are easily accessible, explicitly address identity-based discrimination and sexual misconduct, provide channels for anonymous impartial reporting, and contain clear consequences. These efforts will improve inclusivity and reduce the loss of scientists who have been historically marginalized.

Practice of code of ethics and associated factors among health professionals in Central Gondar Zone public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: a mixed-method study design.

BACKGROUND: Ethics is the science of moral and ethical rules recognised in human life and attempts to verify what is morally right and wrong. Healthcare ethics is seen as an integrated part of the daily activities of health facilities. Healthcare professionals' standardisation and uniformity in healthcare ethics are urgent and basic requirements. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the practice of the code of ethics and associated factors among health professionals in Central Gondar Zone public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study design with a mixed method was conducted on 631 health professionals from Central Gondar Zone public hospitals. For the quantitative part, pre-tested self-administered questionnaires were used, and for the qualitative part, key informant interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire were used. Variables with a p value of < 0.2 in binary logistic regression entered into a multivariable logistic regression, then p value < 0.05 and AOR were used to declare statistically significant variables in quantitative data. A thematic content analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: This study revealed that only 286 (46.7%) health professionals had good practice of the code of ethics. Good ethical knowledge (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.37, 2.77), favourable attitude (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.11, 2.16), and satisfaction of health professionals with their jobs (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.04, 2.04) were significantly associated with the practice of health care ethics. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals' overall level of practice of health care ethics in the Central Gondar Zone public hospitals was poor. This necessitates practical training, ongoing follow-up, availing of necessary medical equipment, a smooth working environment, and modification of the recognition system for health professionals.