Censoring Science & Ethics
Here are my answers to the questions on the Values Exchange. I assume censoring is bad. I tried to answer the questions in a way like the others did. Then I changed the essay to make it sound why the issue should be considered in a better way. The questions are provided and then the answers are in RED. I guess, if you have to post them, you can use this as a guide. The essay can then be cut and pasted into another file and used that way. Hope this is what you want.
Emerging Biotechnologies: Censoring Science
I disagree with censoring science.
REACTIONS:
Why does this matter?
Because the issue is about whether science works the way it should.
IDEAL: What ideal most important?
Giving scientists and the way science is done the chance to work properly.
How confident? Just a little.
Why ideal is important?
The stories suggest that government can be fully trusted to keep the right information secret and to only release it when it thinks the time is right. Not censoring the data would allow for scientists to be more open about the information.
EMOTIONS: How react emotionally?
Censorship always makes me feel uncomfortable.
Confidence: Very strong.
Why Important: There are many scientists and private companies that seek to make money from health issues,...
Censoring information assumes the government and its scientists are on the side of helping and not their own interests.
Biggest Hope for case?
That there will be a large public debate and that people can discuss it freely and openly on the Internet.
How confident: Not a lot.
Why Important: It is simply too important to trust that only some interests get heard. Companies that make profit and even the military have their ideas in mind and they want the results to be helpful for them. We cannot trust this to be the best for everyone. Sharing the details is better. Government can still watch for people who are using the science to make weapons.
DUTY:
We all have a duty to make sure our government is being open and honest.
Confidence: Poor
Why Important: The main duty is to ensure that what has been discovered is accurate and that others can use that knowledge in positive ways. That means we have to get the information out so other scientists can use it and make sure that the original findings were correct. The government already uses its authority to say they are protecting us from terror issues but their efforts don't seem to be working. If we fight to make information more open we can better judge what is being done for us.
FEAR:
That our government blocks the wrong information.
Confidence: Censoring does…
