A question of ethics

The public can be slow to thank engineers and scientists for useful inventions and projects, but is quick to blame us when our professional activities contribute to global problems.

Critics, for instance, point out that scientific research has given us technologies that threaten our environmental life-support systems, and engineers make weapons of war.

There is also a perception held by a significant number of people that the benefits of science and technology are starting to be outweighed by the damage. Such a perception may even be part of the reason why it is increasingly difficult to attract undergraduates to study engineering.

the Royal Academy for Engineering (RAE), in collaboration with several other engineering institutions, has responded to this criticism with the launch of a guide for engineers, 'Statement of Ethical Principles'.

Professional institutions have long had ethical codes for their members, but what makes this document different is that it is intended to apply right across the engineering professions, and goes beyond the usual 'do your job competently' advice to include wider issues such as environmental sustainability and social justice.