Ethics

Rigour, respect and responsibility

Article reproduced from Biologist May 2007

We welcomed the invitation, issued by Government Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King, to endorse a 'universal' ethical code to complement our own code of conduct and guide on ethical practice.

Rigour, respect and responsibility - a universal ethical code for scientists was developed by the Office of Science and Innovation and the Council for Science and Technology. The code aims to foster ethical research, encourage active reflection among scientists on the implications and impacts of their work, and support communication between scientists and the public on complex and challenging issues.

At an event to promote the code during National Science and Engineering Week 2007, Sir David said: 'I have no doubt that the vast majority of scientists are highly ethical and already adhere to many elements of this code. There is a lot of existing good practice but the code sets down some basic practices and beliefs explicitly. We use the terms Rigour, Respect and Responsibility as a simple illustration of our promise to the community as scientists, and as a demonstration to the public that scientists take ethical issues seriously.'

'The code helps us to build an environment where science and scientists are recognised as a valued and trusted part of society. The public has great aspirations for scientists. We earn our licence to operate from them and we must not let them down.'

During a pilot phase in a number of Government agencies, scientists were happy to adopt the code and said that it complemented existing guidelines. The organisations involved have been actively embedding the code into their daily working practices and job descriptions. The code will now be rolled out more widely across Government.

All members of the Society of Biology are required to adhere to its code of conduct in their professional activities. We are happy to endorse the broad principles described in Rigour,respect and responsibility alongside our own more specific guidelines. We agree with Sir David that scientists should actively reflect on and discuss the wider implications and impacts of their work, and the complex and challenging issues that arise in many areas of the biosciences.