In the fourth episode of our podcast series, we look at the practical, legal and ethical questions about going to set up base on the moon – and mining its resources.
Most people follow some form of moral code, but to what extent they abide by these rules does differ in various situations.
Human challenge studies can be useful to test new vaccines and are increasingly being used internationally. Yet there are several ethical issues to consider.
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Deliberately infecting people with a disease-causing agent as part of carefully considered medical research can be ethically acceptable or even necessary.
Crowdfunding platforms could create opportunities to partner individual campaigns with philanthropic organizations that address background causes of health-care gaps.
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With increasing technological innovations in neuroscience, the field of neuroethics grows in relevance - especially when it comes to informing applications and policy.
For poet John Kinsella, veganism is an ethics of commitment. Living as a vegan, he writes, is not a holier-than-thou situation, but a move towards being more respectful of life.
The real ethical challenge of driverless cars is not deciding how they respond in emergencies – it’s facing up to the failings of human drivers.
Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke at his presidential campaign kickoff rally in Houston, March 30, 2019.
AP/David J. Phillip
Charisma may be a necessary trait for getting elected – but it also discourages voters from independent moral deliberation about a potential leader’s qualifications to govern.
Everyone has their own idea on the ethical use of AI, but can we get a global consensus?
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There are plenty of guidelines, policy documents and reports on how best we should use AI and avoid unethical practices. So how about we agree on one set of rules?
On May 16, 2019, Madeleine Munier Apaire (shown here in June 2014), lawyer for Vincent Lambert’s nephew, considered that all remedies were “exhausted”.
Eric Feferberg/AFP
The debate over Mr. Vincent Lambert’s decision to discontinue his care overshadowed equally important judicial and ethical issues. A look back at a complex situation that will set a precedent.
Not everyone trusts that science will bring benefits to society.
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In Australia, the next government will need to meet the challenge of refreshing the social licence between science, government and the many and diverse communities that make up our nation.
Caster Semenya is legally female, was from birth raised as female and identifies as a female.
Jon Connell on flickr
Athlete Caster Semenya will need to take hormone-lowering agents, or have surgery, if she wishes to continue her career in her chosen events. But the decision to ban her is flawed on many grounds.
Veterinarians face a moral dilemma when asked to euthanise healthy pets.
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The new laws are an improvement, but still allow for continued cruelty to animals in the name of testing, and need to be more stringent.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau participates in TV interviews after tabling his budget, which included a $595 million financial package for news organizations.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The federal budget has offered several initiatives to help Canada’s ailing news industry. Does that mean journalists will be compromised by government handouts? New research suggests they won’t.
What’s the best way to put the brakes on current research?
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Scientists and ethicists have called for a five-year moratorium on editing human genes that will pass on to future generations. Yes, society needs to figure out how to proceed – but is this the best way?
CRISPR is a gene editing tool that can create permanent changes in the human genome.
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Four months ago a researcher claimed he had used the tool CRISPR to edit the genomes of twin girls. Now prominent researchers and ethicists are calling for a temporary halt to this sort of work.
Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
Professor of Bioethics & Medicine, Sydney Health Ethics, Haematologist/BMT Physician, Royal North Shore Hospital and Director, Praxis Australia, University of Sydney