A Re-Definition of Research Ethics in a Society Dominated by Risk and Techno-Science

Abstract

　 By the early 20th century, the core of research ethics for scientists was established as acting with integrity in drafting, planning, implementing and reporting research, and not committing any form of misconduct, for example, fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, in the course of research activities. The principles of this code of ethics can be summarized as “research ethics in the practice of research” or more succinctly as the “responsible conduct of research”.

　 Since the 1980s, the practice of research ethics has become a worldwide problem, needing to be tackled not only by researchers, but by politicians and administrators, and nationwide systems have been constructed in each individual country. In this context, it should be noted that in current research ethics, what is considered good scientific practice is based on ‘Wertfreiheit’ （freedom from any form of interference） and is separate from the ethics of practice. However, when science comes to have a substantial influence on society through the medium of technology, researchers have a responsibility in respect of the results of the application of research findings such as atomic research and genetic research.

　 These two types of ethics have mutually conflicting aspects, and it is while taking this conflict into account that modern research ethics is not simply concerned with the protection of established ethics, but with the need to establish a new system of ethics constructed by researchers and the research community with the aim of fulfilling their responsibility to society at large.