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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

1996

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Ethics in Science and Engineering National Clearinghouse

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Ethical Problems And Dilemmas In The Interaction Between Science And Media, David Resnik Jul 1996

Ethical Problems And Dilemmas In The Interaction Between Science And Media, David Resnik

Ethics in Science and Engineering National Clearinghouse

Science and the media are not strange bedfellows since they both gather information, value accuracy and objectivity, and recognize their enormous social responsibilities. The public often benefits from interactions between science and the media, and these two institutions often complement each other. However, since they have different standards, goals, expertises, competencies, and funding sources, science and the media can sometimes interact in ways that produce unintended, adverse consequences for the public. Sometimes the public may become misinformed, deceived, or confused as a result of the media's coverage of science. This unfortunate effect can lead to poor policy decisions, ill-informed public …


Ethics, Physics, And Public Policy, Tina Kaarsberg Jul 1996

Ethics, Physics, And Public Policy, Tina Kaarsberg

Ethics in Science and Engineering National Clearinghouse

This paper discusses the ethical aspects of physicists', and the physics community's involvement in public policy. The work of individual physicists is often quite distant from any societal impact and thus public policy is not normally considered an important ethical consideration for individual physicists. However, in light of the great societal impact of physics-based technologies, the physics profession, by definition, has a major impact on public policy. In addition, most physicists in the U.S. benefited considerably from public funding in their physics education, and many continue to depend upon federal and state funding. Thus, there is a strong ethical argument …