Neuroimaging and Violence in the Educational Setting

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This problem was given to students as part of a course on problem based learning (PBL) using fractious problems.  It asked them to consider the ethicality of a law permitting or requiring the use of neuroimaging tests as an aid to predicting the likely future dangerousness of students identified as “at-risk”. Students were asked to apply six skills in analyzing and devising policy resolutions for the problems and to apply PBL skills in doing so.

Forensic DNA Identification

(Web Page on this Site) Open-Ended Scenario

This problem was given to students as part of a course on problem based learning (PBL) using fractious problems.  It asked them to consider the use of extensive DNA databases for forensic identification. Students were asked to apply six skills in analyzing and devising policy resolutions for the problems and to apply PBL skills in doing so.

Occidental Engineering

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This Ethics Case Study and Commentary were written by Michael McFarland, S.J. during his time at Markulla Center for Applied Ethics in June of 2012. It includes a case plus a full Tutoriial on Ethical Decision Making as well as information on the Foundations of Ethical Judgement, Ethical Conflict, Ethical Reasoning, Derived Sources of Ethical Wisdom, and Responsibility.

Nixing a Good Apple?

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A number of the ideas and questions in this case are a based on those presented in Teaching the Responsible Conduct of Research Through Case Study Approach: A Handbook for Instructors, Stanley G. Korenman and Allan C. Shipp, Eds., 1994. This case has been adapted from an academic environment to a national government owned, government operated (GOGO) Laboratory setting, and it highlights authorship considerations in this environment.

Cases on Emerging Risks

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The International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) is an independent organization that aims to help improve the understanding and management of potentially global risks that have impacts on human health and safety, the environment, the economy and society at large. As part of a Phase 1 project on emerging risks they have assembled a number of case studies and illustrations including a case on large-scale engineered systems.

Copenhagen

(Web Page on this Site) Historical Case

This module is an excerpt from Riley, D. (2012). Engineering Thermodynamics and 21st Century Energy Problems: A Textbook Companion for Student Engagement. San Rafael, CA: Morgan and Claypool. It asks students to examine the Copanehagen Climate Summit of 2009.

Case Study 1: Overly Ambitious Researchers - Fabricating Data

(Web Page on this Site) Historical Case

Case Study 1 of six cases presented during a Summer Institute instructional program. Case Study 1 discusses researchers and fabrication of data.

Case Study 3: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study

(Web Page on this Site) Historical Case

Case Study 3 of six cases presented during a Summer Institute instructional program. This case reviews the Tuskegee Experiment in which the subject group was composed of 616 African-American men, 412 of whom had been diagnosed as having syphilis, and 204 controls. The participants were never explained the true nature of the study. Not only were the syphilitics among them not treated for the disease , but those few who recognized their condition and attempted to seek help from PHS syphilis treament clinics were prevented from doing so. A panel of prominent physicians was convened by the PHS in 1969 to review the Tuskegee study. The PHS in 1966, the panel's recommendation that the Study continue without significant modification was accepted.

Case Study 5: The XYZ Controversy

(Web Page on this Site) Historical Case

Case Study 5 of six cases presented during a Summer Institute instructional program. This case considers issues of genetic screening and other applications of genetics and biotechnology research.

Antibiotic Resistance and Dual Use

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This informational article by Danliel A. Vallero serves as a starting point for group discussion of the possible misuse of emerging technologies. It is accompanied by an annotated presentation that addresses emerging technologies and ethical decision-making.