Developing a Research Question

Nukes4Tots. "Two .22 LR rounds"
11/3/2006 via Wikimedia.
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As technology advances, the world of engineering is forced to consider unasked ethical questions and
construct un-thought of boundaries and guidelines.  The current debates range from education to weapons.

Some members of the engineering filed are concerned that students with a BS in engineering are not prepared for a job in the field.  This has caused them to want to raise the number of credit hours required to graduate.

The genetic modification human embryos has raised many ethical questions among the scientific community.  In addition, researchers are fighting over the patents to the process called CRISPR/Cas9, and the possibility of varying types of genetic modification.

Others are concerned that engineers should not be allowed to make weaponry, as the technology has become so advanced the consequences would be unpredictable.  As a result of these controversies, I would like research the following questions.

1)      How effective are guidelines and rules established by the scientific community?  To what extent do scientists follow these rules?

a.       David Baltimore’s idea in my QRG about the U.S. having “authority” over other countries made me question the kind of power regulations have over research.  In theory, it would be relatively easy to perform research that few people had knowledge.  Do scientists follow the rules?  Do they break them?  Are they trying to find loop holes in the law?

2)      How influential is the voice of the general public (expressing concerns of ethical boundaries for example) in creating change among the scientific community?  Can they make a difference in setting new boundaries or ethical lines?

a.       In writing my QRG, I was curious as to what power my article might have if it went out to the public.  Would it actually convince people to take a stand?  Would the general public making a stand have any sort of significance?

3)      Should engineers be forced to take an ethical code of conduct just like medical doctors do?  Do engineers have enough “power” to need to be constricted on what they are able do or make?

a.       Technology is so advanced now some people believe we are “playing God.”  This entrusts a lot of power to engineers, and what they do with this power is completely up to them.  Could their knowledge actually be used to endanger humans?