Seminar II Group 6 Daniah Erik Shameem Xingxing

Seminar II Group 6 Daniah, Erik, Shameem, Xingxing

Problem A chemist is working on chemical synthesis. The target has useful medical applications. However, in the synthesis an unexpected byproduct is formed. After characterisation of the byproduct, it is found that it has a potentially very harmful effect on living beings. Problem owner: the synthetic chemist a) Should he stop this research completely? b) Should he continue the project and report all results to the scientific community? c) Should he continue the project but not mention the formation of the byproduct?

Stop completely Pros Cons Knowledge Preventing destructive knowledge from spreading Depriving scientific community from valuable knowledge Social responsibility Harmful byproduct not in public domain New useful drug that could save many human lives not available Career Fewer publications -> less funding Other scientist might report it Freedom of research In contradiction to freedom of research

Continue without restrictions Pros Cons Knowledge Contribution to new knowledge; Can explore new synthetic pathways… Harmful knowledge accessible to humanity Social responsibility Medical drug available; Improves healthy living life… Risk of using byproduct as a chemical weapon… Career Publish paper in high impact factor journal; More funding… Scientist held personally responsible for abuse of byproduct? Freedom of research True to scientific spirit; Accepting freedom of research as a higher value than any other interest (CUDOS)

Continue with restrictions Pros Cons Knowledge Valuable for medical research Hiding scientific knowledge Social responsibility Harmful byproduct not in public domain Medical drug available Career Credit for target compound Freedom of research Someone else might report the byproduct In contradiction to freedom of research

Solution Continue research but do no disclose the full findings: • Patent the synthesis