Ethics
Scientists Must Consider the Risk of Racist Misappropriation of Research
The Buffalo massacre shooter contorted genetic studies to support his hateful views
Ethics22 articles archived since 1845
Ethics
The Field of Firearms Forensics Is Flawed
The matching of bullets to guns is subjective, and courts are starting to question it because of testimony from scientific experts
Consciousness
We Shouldn’t Try to Make Conscious Software—Until We Should
Eventually, the most ethical option might be to divert all resources toward building very happy machines
Ethics
Meet the White House’s New Director of Environmental Justice
Jalonne White-Newsome went from being a Dow Chemical devotee to a leading injustice advocate
Artificial Intelligence
How Language-Generation AIs Could Transform Science
An expert in emerging technologies warns that software designed to summarize, translate and write like humans might exacerbate distrust in science
Privacy
Some Medical Ethicists Endorse NFTs—Here’s Why
The technology could help patients exert control over their medical data
Anthropology
Anthropology Association Apologizes to Native Americans for the Field’s Legacy of Harm
For decades anthropologists exploited Indigenous peoples in the name of science. Now they are reckoning with that history
Ethics
The Manhattan Project Shows Scientists’ Moral and Ethical Responsibilities
As more of physics research is funded by the military, it is important to learn the full history of our past
Policy
Two Scientists Will Replace U.S. Science Adviser Eric Lander
Celebrated sociologist Alondra Nelson and genome leader Francis Collins will temporarily split Lander’s duties
Psychology
How Targeted Advertising on Social Media Drives People to Extremes
People seeking to radicalize others are using ads to push conspiracy theories and extremist views
Ethics
Will Giving COVID Booster Shots Make It Harder to Vaccinate the Rest of the World?
Wealthy countries have bought up most of the available vaccine doses for booster shots but still have far more than they need
Ethics
High-Profile Autism Genetics Project Paused Amid Backlash
Study aimed at collecting DNA from 10,000 autistic people and their families has drawn criticism for failing to consult the autism community
Ethics
Stop Torturing Animals in the Name of Science
Four centuries after Descartes declared them to be mere machines that didn’t feel fear or pain, we’re still acting as though we don’t know better
Ethics
Afghanistan’s Terrified Scientists Fear Persecution
Reprisals may come for their field of study, their ethnicity or involvement in international collaborations
Ethics
Nonbinary Scientists Want Funding Agencies to Change How they Collect Gender Data
Too many surveys fail to include options beyond “male,” “female” and “do not wish to disclose”
Ethics
The FDA Should Remove Its Restrictions on the ‘Abortion Pill’ Mifepristone
The science is clear: abortion by medication is safe and effective
Ethics
Science Must Be for Everyone
Racism and sexism are obstacles to making the scientific enterprise worthy of its public funding
Diversity
Conversations with Black Leaders in STEM
Black innovators and leaders discuss career paths, mentorship and diversity in science. This speaker series is hosted by the Black Employee Network at Springer Nature, the publisher of Scientific American...
Sociology
The Time to Dismantle the Racial Structures That Pervade Global Science Is Now
Sociologist Anthony Ryan Hatch believes we must make the conversation around race and STEM a priority in academia
Diversity
When Racism Waits along the Academic Path
For structural engineer and entrepreneur Nehemiah Mabry, a racist remark made to him in graduate school provided all the motivation he needed to open doors into academia for others
