 December 7, 2005
| Topic: |
Do Scientists Need Their own Hippocratic Oath? Part I |
| Presenter: |
Brendan C. Brinkman, Managing Director
Neuroscience Microscopy Shared Facility, UCSD |
| Location: |
SDSU Foundation: Sky Park |
| Discussion: |
Do scientific establishments need to incorporate into their activities an oath similar to a medical doctor's oath? Such oaths, while originating with the Hippocratic Oath, have been updated and made relevant to our times. Medical doctors, even those who are researchers, don't receive the kind of automatic distrust given by many of the public to scientists. Should those receiving a B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in the sciences take a similar oath at the time of graduation?
Proposed Scientist’s Oath for the Service of Humanity
Author: Brendan C. Brinkman
· I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
· I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
· I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity;
· I WILL MAINTAIN the integrity of the scientific process;
· THE WELLBEING of those affected by my work will be my first consideration;
· I WILL only create those works of science which I believe will work for the benefit humanity;
· I WILL SHARE my knowledge in an ethical manner for the good of all humanity;
· I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the scientific profession;
· I WILL respect the integrity of my colleagues;
· I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, or social standing to inhibit my duty as a scientist;
· I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life from its beginning and I will not use my knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely and upon my honor. |
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