tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735245268454268681.post4919540939606784399..comments2009-04-06T14:33:55.847-07:00Comments on RCID 803: Week 5: Internet Research/EthicsWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15032349508396021975noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735245268454268681.post-43947372975126914292009-02-09T12:43:00.000-08:002009-02-09T12:43:00.000-08:00Wendy, I think you're right--a tedious training mo...Wendy, I think you're right--a tedious training module isn't going to stop rogue geneticists from experimenting with human engineering. But, when we raise that debate, what really will? A sit-down discussion, lecture, or even reprimand may not do much either. People who are in a position--of financial means and authority--to conduct research will, as I mentioned in my post, find almost any conceivable means to justify their research.<BR/><BR/>So, why have training? Why even make us trudge through the monotony (and ambiguity) of those training modules? One, it is a formality. Perhaps formalities can be stupid, but they play a critical role in a sue-happy society. They give the university something to lean on if one of their professors does something crazy. But also, and probably on a more practical level, they serve as a reminder to those of us who try to be ethical but don't necessarily think about the technological infrastructure of a computer database that holds personal raw data. It would be quite easy, and tempting, to assume that the information is safe without thoroughly checking it out. CITI reminds us that we are, in fact, human. And that it is, in fact humans we are dealing with. Unfortunately, and as awful as I would argue the training sometimes is, we humans probably need that reminder.Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13539327807549395128noreply@blogger.com