Micaela Eisman Shaun Raj Professional and Ethical Responsibility

Overview �Introduction �Definitions �Professional Applications �General Professional & Ethical Standards �Whistle-blowing �Case Study �Summary

What is ethics? �“The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. ” [1] �‘NUFF SAID!

How does that relate to a professional environment? �Respecting others’ intellectual property by giving due credit. �Avoiding conflicts of interest. �Rejecting bribery. �Honesty and realism in stating claims and estimates. �Etc.

General Engineering Professional and Ethical Standards �IEEE: Seek, accept, and offer honest criticism. Improve the understanding of technology. Avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious actions.

General Engineering Professional and Ethical Standards �ABET: Ability to apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering. Design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data. Effective communication.

General Engineering Professional and Ethical Standards �ASEE: Enhancement of human welfare with application of skills. Undertake professional responsibilities only in areas of competence. Treat all people fairly, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, religion, profession, etc.

Whistle-blowing �“One who reveals wrongdoing within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority. ” [2]

Examples � 2006: Thomas Drake Executive at NSA, worried about post 9 -11 surveillance. Reported to the newspaper – indicted for obstruction of justice and espionage. � 1996: Jeffrey Wigand VP for R&D at Brown and Williamson Tobacco, admitted the company doctored nicotine content to make their product more addictive. � 1972: W. Mark Felt Gave information to bring down Nixon during Watergate.

Examples in Public Media

Ethical Implications? �Should he have blown the whistle? �Should he have placed the welfare of others over his career? �Did the Energy Department manage the concern properly? �Should the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board have gotten involved?

Case Study – Paradyne Computers �(1980) SSA requested new computers for field offices – gave contract to Paradyne for $115 million for 1800 computers Provide access to central database for processing claims and issuing new SSN’s �Computers failed initial testing, so the SSA relaxed specifications After delivery, many malfunctioned

Case Study – Paradyne Computers �Paradyne proposed selling P 8400 computer with P 105 OS, which was not built yet RFP prohibited prototypes Parts were not tested before integration Bid was written as though the OS was already in existence �Paradyne demoed a different computer system, not the one they intended to sell to the SSA

Case Study – Paradyne Computers �Results: Put secure information at risk Took 2 years to resolve, wasting government resources and time: ▪ Justice Department ▪ Health and Human Services

Case Study – Paradyne Computers �Ethical Issues: Company lied about the state of the product Adequate testing was not performed Should the SSA have relaxed requirements after initial testing? Should the SSA reopen bids after requirements were relaxed?

Summary �Introduction �Definitions �Professional Applications �General Professional & Ethical Standards �Whistle-blowing �Case Study �Summary

Questions?

Derivation

Citations � � � � � http: //dictionary. reference. com/browse/ethics [1] http: //www. thefreedictionary. com/whistle-blowing [2] http: //articles. latimes. com/2011/jul/06/nation/la-na-adv-nuclearwhistleblower-20110705 http: //www. onlineethics. org/Education/instructessays/herkert 2. aspxhttp : //www. onlineethics. org/Education/instructessays/herkert 2. aspx http: //www. ieee. org/about/corporate/governance/p 7 -8. html http: //www. asee. org/member-resources/Code_of_Ethics. pdf http: //www. ele. uri. edu/courses/ele 400/f 12/cases. pdf http: //www. troll. me/2011/07/08/philosoraptor/is-it-ethical-to-questionthe-ethics-of-your-ethics-professor/ http: //jobs. aol. com/articles/2011/05/30/10 -whistleblowers-heard-aroundthe-world/