Controversies

Added04/07/2006

Updated01/20/2016

This case discusses the problems faced by a researcher when trying to reconcile faith with science, personal convictions and professional activities.

Added06/13/2017

An amateur birdwatcher contributes to eBird--a citizen science project. When conservation scientists begin tagging owls in the state park near his home and ask his neighbor for permission to conduct research on her property, he wonders whether the value of the knowledge created about endangered species through both studying migration and citizen science projects such as eBird justifies the impact these activities can have on individual birds and species.

Added06/13/2017

A neuroscientist studies brainwave technologies with the aim of developing brain-machine computer interfaces (BMCI) and biometric systems. In considering projects she might work on, such as developing a database system to identify individuals by EEG biosignatures or advancing the field of neuromarketing, she starts to wonder about the long-term social value of these emerging technologies.

Added06/13/2017

In 2013, Melissa Gymrek, Amy McGuire, David Golan, Eran Halperin, and Yaniv Erlich published an article describing how they re-identified almost 50 individuals from “anonymized” data in a genomic database from the 1000 Genomes Project. Their goal was to show the vulnerability of genomic databases to this sort of manipulation. The case opens discussion of sharing genomic data and protecting privacy.

Added06/13/2017

A computer science graduate has an opportunity to work managing large data sets from smartphone applications designed to track individuals’ personal health information. His father, an epidemiologist, encourages him to consider the project’s use of personal data, as well as the ability to design algorithms that could accurately predict and track outbreaks based on this kind of data.

Added07/26/2018

This case explores ethical issues surrounding assisted migration of endangered species. In particular, it focuses on Torreya taxifolia, an evergreen conifer tree endemic to Florida, and an activist group, Torreya Guardians, that has been distributing trees to sites outside the endemic range, including in North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Oregon.

Added02/14/2017

Abstract: In this case, a philosophy student and vegetarian contemplates whether animal disenhancement—engineering the cognitive and physical abilities of animals so that they cannot suffer psychological and physical harms—would make factory farming more morally acceptable. He also wonders whether philosophical arguments in favor of animal disenhancement could be extended to support human disenhancement.

Added08/15/2018

This case explores ethical issues in public engagement activities about issues of climate change mitigation. In particular, it presents hypothetical citizens’ forums in Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona, and, through discussion questions, identifies many of the issues for consideration these kinds of activities entail.

Added02/14/2017

Marissa, a young mother, provides substantial support to her aging parents. When her parents begin exploring novel anti-aging treatments, Marissa wonders about the potential social outcomes of such technology.

Added02/14/2017

A member of a lab studying the beta-blocker, Propranolol, to treat soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is violently physically assaulted. The PI suggests the Propranolol treatment could be helpful and lab members reflect on the possible outcomes of such a choice.