Emerging Biotechnologies Censoring Science

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, even bad ones. 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 not give me any confidence at all.

Why Important: My biggest fear is that what we are being told already in the censorship stories is not correct or at least that it is only partially correct.

RIGHTS:

The right of freedom of press and the expectation that our government is being fair and objective.

Confidence: If the information from science is provided, I am very confident that many people will make sure the knowledge is most accurate.

Why Important: We must be able to count on our government to be fair and objective. When it uses public dollars to support science and to protect us we have to be confident that what is being done for us is honest. If information is censored, only some people will have access to it. We cannot be sure that this means our rights overall to health and liberty are being protected.

My belief is that censoring science is never a good thing. In using the Values Exchange, people have the chance to offer their opinions and suggestions. However, in most instances the amount of information that is offered is limited and seems very similar to others. It appears that it would be better if people were free to look more deeply into the topic. I looked through a number of articles and found a lot of additional information that leads me to believe that it is important for science and scientists to be ethical and open about what they are doing.