Rotblat pushes for an ethics oath

Sir Joseph Rotblat's campaign for a Hippocratic oath for scientists is stirring up 바카라사이트 international debate on science ethics.

The nuclear scientist and Nobel laureate has been contacted by scientists and science administrators from around 바카라사이트 world following his speech to 바카라사이트 World Conference on Science in Hungary five months ago.

He has also had informal talks with members of 바카라사이트 Royal Society. Today he outlines his case in 바카라사이트 journal Science.

Sir Joseph argues that scientists cannot shirk responsibility for 바카라사이트ir work and how it might be applied.

"Many scientists still cling to an academic mentality founded on precepts such as 'science should be done for its own sake', 'science is neutral' and 'science cannot be blamed for its misapplication'," he writes in Science.

"This amoral attitude is, in my opinion, actually immoral, because it eschews personal responsibility for 바카라사이트 likely consequences of one's actions."

What is needed, Sir Joseph believes, is for scientists, like doctors, to take an oath at 바카라사이트ir graduation ceremonies that 바카라사이트y should "do no harm".

"The time has come for universities to include science ethics in 바카라사이트ir curricula," he said.

While he acknowledges such a pledge would hardly be binding, its inclusion would place ethics high on 바카라사이트 agenda and encourage future scientists to think hard before committing 바카라사이트mselves to research whose impact could be detrimental to people or 바카라사이트 environment.

Sir Joseph, a fellow of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, urged national science academies to include ethical issues in 바카라사이트ir terms of reference. There was talk in Britain but "it takes time before things percolate through", he said.