http://www.theguardian.com/law/guardian-law-blog/2015/jan/12/police-ethics-digital-internet-technology
This article discusses the ethics of allowing detectives and police officers to have access to phone records of those they believe might be involved with or guilty of a crime. A law was passed in Britain a number of years ago called the, "Regulation of Investigatory Powers" act which basically stipulated when it is appropriate for law enforcement officials to ask phone companies in the UK for someone's phone records. However, the boundary between what is appropriate and not appropriate has already been blurred and there is an ongoing debate as to whether this law oversteps the rights of the citizens. The police believe it is necessary to use this sort of intrusive power in certain situations but it should curtailed to ensure it is not abused. The ethical questions that arise relate to when it is actually ethical to be able to hack into someone's personal records to get information that could lead them to be thought guilty of a crime they may be innocent of committing. Currently, the British government and law enforcement officials are cooperating with local communities in order to rewrite this law to make sure that the population has a say in their privacy being violated.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Blog 4: The Ethics of Human Gene Editing
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/20/science/biologists-call-for-halt-to-gene-editing-technique-in-humans.html?_r=0
This article discusses the ethics of editing human genomes in ways that can actually alter people's physical looks and characteristics as well personalities. This process of editing genes can cure genetic diseases but also has the ability to enhance individual qualities. There was a new human genome editing technique invented in 2012 which essentially made it much easier to edit human genes with extreme precision. However, this has raised the question of whether it is ethical to alter humanity in future generations to ensure that we can control our genetic outcomes. Biologists in general support continuing research on the potential outcomes of this new technique, while ethicists are against it. Everyone agrees that countries must regulate this new scientific breakthrough to ensure it is not used in unethical ways. It is also important to note that humankind is supposed to improve the world and by using this genetic modification we would be able to ensure that future generations would be free of flaws. However, this sort of "playing god" is completely unethical. Governments must begin to regulate this new science before it is used in the wrong way.
This article discusses the ethics of editing human genomes in ways that can actually alter people's physical looks and characteristics as well personalities. This process of editing genes can cure genetic diseases but also has the ability to enhance individual qualities. There was a new human genome editing technique invented in 2012 which essentially made it much easier to edit human genes with extreme precision. However, this has raised the question of whether it is ethical to alter humanity in future generations to ensure that we can control our genetic outcomes. Biologists in general support continuing research on the potential outcomes of this new technique, while ethicists are against it. Everyone agrees that countries must regulate this new scientific breakthrough to ensure it is not used in unethical ways. It is also important to note that humankind is supposed to improve the world and by using this genetic modification we would be able to ensure that future generations would be free of flaws. However, this sort of "playing god" is completely unethical. Governments must begin to regulate this new science before it is used in the wrong way.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Blog 3: Ethics of SeaWorld
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-bekoff/why-seaworld-cant-and-shouldnt-float-censorship-and-business-ethics_b_6768262.html
This article discusses two major ethical issues in the United States today. These two issues are intertwined as the relate to the use of animals in captivity and the proper disclosure of factual information. Specifically, the article discusses how SeaWorld claims to treat its animals as humanely and fairly as possible. However, at a recent conference for professionals in the world of animal captivity, SeaWorld requested that the conference not be recored. This seems like a major ethical violation as it makes clear that SeaWorld must have something to hide. Additionally, Dr. White, who is a specialist in animal behavior in captivity, described this move as a way to hide the criticism that it ultimately would face during the discussions. The issue of full disclosure has become one of constant discourse in today's political world. However, it is also critically important in corporations as well. SeaWorld violated its corporate ethics when it requested that the conference be private. In addition, it would appear that SeaWorld is violating animal rights ethics by keeping these mammals in captivity without proper humane support. Finally, Dr. White argues that SeaWorld's financial troubles are their own fault and that they are violating their duty to the shareholders of the company. He discusses the scientific discoveries of the last few years in which it became apparent that whales and dolphins cannot reach their full potential in captivity. He argues that this is the basis for the criticisms of SeaWorld's ethical mission.
This article discusses two major ethical issues in the United States today. These two issues are intertwined as the relate to the use of animals in captivity and the proper disclosure of factual information. Specifically, the article discusses how SeaWorld claims to treat its animals as humanely and fairly as possible. However, at a recent conference for professionals in the world of animal captivity, SeaWorld requested that the conference not be recored. This seems like a major ethical violation as it makes clear that SeaWorld must have something to hide. Additionally, Dr. White, who is a specialist in animal behavior in captivity, described this move as a way to hide the criticism that it ultimately would face during the discussions. The issue of full disclosure has become one of constant discourse in today's political world. However, it is also critically important in corporations as well. SeaWorld violated its corporate ethics when it requested that the conference be private. In addition, it would appear that SeaWorld is violating animal rights ethics by keeping these mammals in captivity without proper humane support. Finally, Dr. White argues that SeaWorld's financial troubles are their own fault and that they are violating their duty to the shareholders of the company. He discusses the scientific discoveries of the last few years in which it became apparent that whales and dolphins cannot reach their full potential in captivity. He argues that this is the basis for the criticisms of SeaWorld's ethical mission.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Blog 2: Algorithms and Ethics
http://qz.com/343750/the-ethical-blindness-of-algorithms/
This article discusses how new technology is being used to classify everything from shoppers, burglars, travelers, and even drivers. It attempts to answer the question of whether an algorithm can be racist. For supermarkets, it has always been important to be able to identify their markets. However, with new technology today, it is possible to define each individual customer by certain characteristics and group them in ethnic groups. Computers can now decide who should be included in certain sales based on their ethnic origins and their buying history. When algorithms track purchase histories and even credit card payments, they have been programmed to place individuals in groups based on race, gender, and ethnicity. This creates ethical issues as each person begins to be placed in groups that he or she may not actually belong in. A computer does not know the difference between racism and non-racism, and therefore can improperly group those who do not belong in certain categories. The issue here is that companies are being accused of racism and using the excuse that since it is a computer making the decisions, they cannot be held accountable. This does not seem like a valid response, as all computer are programmed by humans. It is unethical to group ethnicities simply based on their buying patterns or credit card payments. This behavior unfairly categorizes certain races as always being late on payments, or always buying certain commodities simply because they belong to a specific race or ethnicity.
This article discusses how new technology is being used to classify everything from shoppers, burglars, travelers, and even drivers. It attempts to answer the question of whether an algorithm can be racist. For supermarkets, it has always been important to be able to identify their markets. However, with new technology today, it is possible to define each individual customer by certain characteristics and group them in ethnic groups. Computers can now decide who should be included in certain sales based on their ethnic origins and their buying history. When algorithms track purchase histories and even credit card payments, they have been programmed to place individuals in groups based on race, gender, and ethnicity. This creates ethical issues as each person begins to be placed in groups that he or she may not actually belong in. A computer does not know the difference between racism and non-racism, and therefore can improperly group those who do not belong in certain categories. The issue here is that companies are being accused of racism and using the excuse that since it is a computer making the decisions, they cannot be held accountable. This does not seem like a valid response, as all computer are programmed by humans. It is unethical to group ethnicities simply based on their buying patterns or credit card payments. This behavior unfairly categorizes certain races as always being late on payments, or always buying certain commodities simply because they belong to a specific race or ethnicity.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Blog 1: Ethics of Jail Cell Architecture
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/arts/design/prison-architecture-and-the-question-of-ethics.html?_r=0
The article also discussed the code of ethics that architectural organizations hold regarding project such as jail cells. The companies that build jail cells and solitary confinement buildings are, according to this article, more interested in making money than sticking to ethical standards for human rights. This has lead to an ethics issue for architects who want to be involved in these sort of projects in order to make the world a better place. As the first chapter of our textbook describes, ethics is a very personal set of beliefs that stem from our childhood. Therefore, it is not right for an institute such as the American Institute of Architects to decide for their members what is or is not ethical.
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