Provides an interesting look at genetic engineering

provides an interesting look at genetic engineering and the responsibility of engineers to have an
ethical standpoint when conducting research and experiments. Through the quote “Some factors
and relations, not all of them properly identified, may change over time. Moreover, some human
practices, decisions and actions, which cannot be easily predicted, may also interfere. Thus, one
lesson to learn from these failures is that responsibility means responsibilities. The ethical
question is not, ‘‘Who is guilty?’’ but ‘‘What has been my contribution to the outcome?’’”
(Basart, Serra, 185). In simpler terms this quote is expressing how ethical views may change
over time to keep up with the changes in technology and when this happens the responsibilities
of an engineer must evolve in order to ensure that if there is ever an issue there is a clear path of
blame. Only three scientists received harsh punishments while there had to have been tens more
that contributed work towards this project.

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In genetic engineering there are many factors that have to be taken into consideration,
most notably with genome editing in animals and humans.
The recurring theme of a “heroic engineer” is seen in Basart and Serra’s text and allows
the reader to form a better idea on what distinguishes engineers’ ethics from engineering ethics.