The Ethics of Embrionic Stem Cells Research

Embrionic stem cells research, as opposed to hematopoietic stem cells research, has always stirred up many controversies of ethical nature that have projected their effects in the specialized doctrine of the domain of medical bioethics and law. Some of these controversies have been transposed at the legislative level (both by international normative acts and by the national laws of the states) while others are not yet de object of consensus. All that is not transposed by law remains in the exclusive sphere of ethics, so the ethical discussion in embryonic stem cell research is not only relevant for today's modern medicine but also of the utmost importance for a category of specialists in various research fields.

The Effects of the “Publish or Perish Syndrome” on Research and Innovation in Nigerian Universities

The pressure to publish rapidly and constantly is a phenomenon engulfing academia in all countries of the globe. It has, over the years, affected research and innovation in a mostly negative way. In Nigerian universities in particular, this culture has mainly been a syndrome, manifested by (1) the urge among faculty members to publish more for promotions and positions than for genuine research production, (2) publishing for purely capitalistic motivations, (3) the use of unorthodox methodologies to boost citation index, and (4) fictive authorship of research works among others. All these objectionable practices have been responsible for various forms of decay in research and teaching in the Nigerian university system. They have, for instance, made plagiarism, data mining, predatory journals, duplicate publications, among other challenges, pervade research in Nigerian universities, causing innovation to remain more an ideal than a reality in these tertiary institutions. Using empirical understandings and critical observations, this chapter illustrates all these issues.

Comparative Analysis of the Codes of Ethics in Top Universities in Romania

The chapter aims to decipher some aspects (of form and content) of the codes of ethics that are present and in force within the representative academic communities in Romania. The main thesis is that in the Romanian university system there is still no unitary practice in respecting the norms of academic conduct, on the background of implicit university autonomy, which can explain some negative consequences recorded throughout the social life, from the pre-university education system to the decision-making structures.

AIRSE

The chapter makes a systematic review of the literature on the ethics of artificially intelligent robots (AIRSE) and proposes a classification of ethical discourses related with robots and AI in four categories: weak, moderate, strong, and ultimate. The main arguments and specific problems underlying each of these perspectives on AIRSE, as well as the resulting principles are discussed. The risks, issues, and challenges related with the possibility of technological singularity are also presented in this chapter.

Tailoring Humans

What began as an attempt to eradicate serious illnesses seems to have become, in some cases, under the impetus of human imagination and technological evolution, an exercise by which scientists come to compete with the attributes of divinity: augmenting human beings at a basic level that affects the identity of the species. Genetic engineering for medical purposes has created the premises for the existence of technologies that can be used for other agendas, without medical purpose, in order to bioenhance the characteristics of the human individual. The genetic inheritance we leave to future generations is now under our control, because we are able to manipulate our germinal line. Hybrid embryos and chimeric embryos, although still in the experimental stage, can become a reality in relatively short time. But just because we can, do we have the right to do it? Do we need all of this and, if so, to what extent? What are the limits and who or what sets the standards? These are the questions that this chapter addresses from an ethical perspective.

Personhood, Cultural Ethics, and Biomedical Research

This chapter rides on the premise that the concept of personhood, as embedded in research ethics principles, needs re-examining. As the base upon which the principles were developed and falsely universalized, it needs pointing out that personhood in the Euro-American sense differs markedly from what it is in non-Western cultures. A careful delineation of this understanding should be a teaching moment for researchers, clinicians, bioethicists, students and academics as they confront multicultural perspectives in health research. Hence, it helps to properly inform and effectively erase presumptive tendencies, so people can avoid any voluntary or involuntary unethical behavior, which may arise from ignorance particularly in multicultural settings.

Informed Consent in Research Involving Human Subjects

Informed consent (IC) in research is a key element in ensuring the ethical character of any research involving human subjects, either bio-medical or psychosocial. IC involves three elements: validity, communication of information, and deliberation. Obtaining IC is a dynamic process of ethical reflection in order to facilitate the expression of autonomy of the subject involved in research. The process of obtaining the IC must be accompanied by the administrative procedure for completing a consent form signed by both the participant and the researcher. If the participant cannot sign—either because he is a minor or because of the medical condition—a delegated consent signed by the legal representatives of the subject is required.

Vulnerability in Research

The concept of vulnerability and the attendant responsibility of researchers to provide special protections for research participants deemed to be vulnerable are considered to be foundational concepts in bioethics. However, not only do international and national guidelines differ in their definition of vulnerability, but they also vary with respect to who is to be considered vulnerable in research. This chapter describes the ways in which vulnerability has been defined by international and national guidelines, discusses the considerations deemed relevant by international and national guidance and writers on the topic, and concludes with thoughts on how the meaning of vulnerability might be communicated in teaching.

From the Ethics of the Research Project to the Ethical Communication of Science

A postmodern interference between bioethics, epistemology, and philosophy of science arises from the field of ethics of research on human subjects. Being a research with a high level of subjectivity, it will also load the researcher with the responsibility towards the social meaning of the results, the correctness of using the methodology, honesty, presenting the limits of research, including the epistemic and methodological ones, as well as the needs of the subjects participating in the investigation. The ethics of research is based on a series of principles, of which the most significant are the honesty of obtaining and presenting results, the non-harm of human subjects, the respect for the autonomy of the subjects, and the principle of beneficence.

Ethical Issues in Couple and Family Research and Therapy

In couple and family research and therapy, the perspective changes from the individual to the dyad or group. As such, professionals in this field discuss some new ethical dilemmas that are particular to their line of work. While some authors present problems such as confidentiality and allegiance to only one part of the family system, others address a series of ethical consideration caused by the state of current research. The aim of this chapter is to present an overview of modern research topics such as intimate partner violence, illness, or multiculturalism and their ethical implications and effects on the family functioning, child development, and the research results. Also, the authors want to present the most relevant ways in which professionals can work within such ethical dilemmas without damaging either the outcomes of therapy or research or to cause harm to the participants.