Volume 2, Issue 4
"Every decision in science and research has an ethical dimension."
Michael Thompson, associate professor of soil science in the agronomy department, tells students in his professional practices module that ethical issues transcend differences in research settings, whether in the field or the lab, and that ethical issues must be considered before the research project begins.
Ethics are an important part of who Thompson is. A strong religious upbringing familiarized him with ethical and moral issues. Interest in soil conservation and land stewardship led him eventually to become a soil scientist at Iowa State University. He earned a B.S. in agricultural sciences from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in agronomy from Ohio State University.
For four years prior to his involvement in the professional practices course, Thompson taught a non-credit graduate seminar in the agronomy department on the importance of ethics in research. That seminar is what brought Charlotte Bronson, Gary Comstock, and Lisa Lorenzen and to invite Thompson to join in teaching the professional practices course they were developing.
For his module of the course, Thompson discusses four main topics. In session one, he provides an introduction to scientific values and structures, discussing the scientific method and the philosophy of science. After talking about honesty, responsibility, and accountability, Thompson encourages students to think about how the classic scientific method encourages ethical behavior.
Session two focuses on quality assurance and control in research. Thompson talks about issues that arise in both field and laboratory settings, including analytical protocols, statistical design, and documentation. He asks his students to learn about the procedures of their labs before class and to discuss with other students in the class how these procedures are documented and followed.
The third session deals with data management and ownership, including how to keep a lab notebook. Issues include who owns research data and who has the right to publish or not publish data gathered from research.
The final session deals with authorship issues such as deciding the order of authors on a manuscript, what must be contributed in order to be listed as an author, and how to avoid plagiarism.
Ethical issues, Thompson said, often arise when researchers cut corners. He said there may be pressure to complete research on time, to make data fit a research proposal's needs, or to get another publication for a C.V.
"In general, the legitimacy of scientific research depends on not cutting important corners," he said. "Some of the most subtle and difficult ethical issues are how to balance time and money. How do you focus on quality when you have 50 other things to do?"
The two most important points Thompson tries to get across to students in his module are that every decision has an ethical dimension and that it pays to have a policy in place before ethical questions arise.
"It may not be possible to plan for every ethical issue that might come up in a particular research project," Thompson said. "But if you have thought through your value system thoroughly, it will give you a jump start on dealing with each day's decisions."
11:00 a.m. Animal Science. "Monitoring and Anticipating Activities by Animal Rights Activists", by Paul Sundberg, Director, Veterinary Issues, National Pork Producers Council; and Joan Hopper, Director, Laboratory Animal Resources, ISU. Free, Ensminger International Room, 1204 Kildee Hall.
8:00 p.m., Chemistry, "What You Always Wanted To Know about Chemicals in Foods but Were Afraid To Eat," Robert Bates, University of Florida, Gainesville (refreshments will be served at 7:30 p.m. 1651 Gilman). Sponsored by the Ames Local Section of the American Chemical Society, 1352 Gilman.
11:00 a.m., Chemical engineering, "Cornucopia or Scarcity: Can We Have Biomass for Fuel and Eat It Too?" Bruce Dale, Michigan State University, 171 Durham.
Bioethics Faculty Retreat.
Bioethics Institute at Iowa State University. Applications are due March 15, 2001. For more information and an application form, go to: www.biotech.iastate.edu/bioethics/Institute/ISU_Institute/ISU_description.html.
To subscribe, send an e-mail to: bioethics@iastate.edu
or call 515-294-7356.
Editor: Dena Huisman
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 318 Beardshear Hall, 515-294-7612.
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Last Update 05/23/03
