Engineering ethics

I have something that I call my Golden Rule. It goes something like this: ‘Do unto others twenty-five percent better than you expect them to do unto you.’ … The twenty-five percent is for error.

—Linus Pauling

Codes of ethics

A code of ethics is a set of principles designed to help professionals carry out their duties safely, responsibly, honestly, and with integrity. Given an ethical dilemna, a code of ethics may provide clarity on an appropriate course of action.

Every major engineering discipline has its own code of ethics; however, these codes tend to be pretty similar.

The most relevant code of ethics for chemical and biological engineers was created and refined by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). That code (as of June 2023) is as follows:

  1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and protect the environment in performance of their professional duties.

  2. Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.

  3. Accept responsibility for their actions, seek and heed critical review of their work and offer objective criticism of the work of others.

  4. Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner.

  5. Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, avoiding conflicts of interest and never breaching confidentiality.

  6. Treat all colleagues and co-workers fairly and respectfully, recognizing their unique contributions and capabilities by fostering an environment of equity, diversity and inclusion.

  7. Perform professional services only in areas of their competence.

  8. Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services.

  9. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision.

  10. Never tolerate harassment.

  11. Conduct themselves in a fair, honorable and respectful manner.

Another code of ethics useful to some CBEs is that from the Biomedical Engineering Society.

Finally, the National Society of Professional Engineers has developed a code of ethics that transcends engineering disciplines .

Exercise: Codes of ethics in an international setting

Read over the the AIChE Code of Ethics above. Put yourself in the mindset of someone from a country and culture much different from that in the United States. What parts of the code would likely apply to your country? What parts might differ?

Internationalizing codes of ethics

In considering the application of codes of ethics in the international environment, it is useful to consider Culture Transcending Guidelines: those elements of professional ethics that are common across cultures. Nine such Guidelines have been identified :

  1. Avoid exploitation, especially of the weak and vulnerable.

  2. Avoid paternalistic treatment of host-country citizens.

  3. Avoid bribery and giving or receiving excessive gifts.

  4. Do not violate human rights.

  5. Promote the welfare of the host country, within reasonable limits.

  6. Respect the cultural norms and laws of host countries, insofar as this is compatible with the other Guidelines.

  7. Protect the health and safety of citizens in the host country.

  8. Recognize an obligation to protect the environment, insofar as this requirement can be reasonably balanced with other considerations.

  9. Respect and promote a society’s legitimate background institutions.