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Ethical and Philosophical Consideration of the Dual-Use Dilemma in the Biological Sciences

  • Book
  • © 2008

Overview

Authors:
  1. Seumas Miller

    1. Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

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  2. Michael J. Selgelid

    1. Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and National Centre for Biosecurity The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Addresses a topic of tremendous contemporary importance
  • Addresses controversial topics such as biological weapons, academic/scientific freedom, and censorship
  • The dual-use dilemma is undoubtedly one of the most important and controversial issues in current debates about bioterrorism
  • Lays out the dilemma that scientists and policymakers are faced with as a result
  • The first thoroughgoing book-length treatment of the topic by professional ethicists
  • Challenges, and offers an alternative perspective to, the hugely influential U.S. National Research Council position on the dual-use dilemma

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Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Introduction

    Pages 9-15

  3. Experiments of Concern

    Pages 17-29

  4. The Ethics of Dual-Use Research

    Pages 31-38

  5. Dissemination of Dual-Use Research Results

    Pages 39-48

  6. Options for the Regulation of Dual-Use Experiments and Information

    Pages 49-64

  7. Back Matter

    Pages 65-75
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Keywords

About this book

What Is the Dual-Use Dilemma? The so-called “dual-use dilemma” arises in the context of research in the biological and other sciences as a consequence of the fact that one and the same piece of sci- tific research sometimes has the potential to be used for harm as well as for good. A dual-use dilemma is an ethical dilemma, and an ethical dilemma for the researcher (and for those who have the power or authority to assist or impede the researcher’s work, e. g. , governments). It is an ethical dilemma since it is about promoting good in the context of the potential for also causing harm, e. g. , the p- motion of health in the context of providing the wherewithal for the killing of in- cents. It is an ethical dilemma for the researcher not because he or she is aiming at anything other than a good outcome; typically, the researcher intends no harm, but only good. Rather, the dilemma arises for the researcher because of the potential actions of others. Malevolent non-researchers might steal dangerous biological agents produced by the researcher; alternatively, other researchers—or at least their governments or leadership—might use the results of the original researcher’s work for malevolent purposes. The malevolent purposes in question include bioterrorism, biowarfare and blackmail for financial gain.

Reviews

....Welcome to the dual-use dilemma, which Seumas Miller and Michael Selgelid argue arises from the fact that "one and the same piece of scientific research sometimes has the potential to be used for harm as well as for good" (p.1) In this report Miller and Selgelid provide a concise, clear-headed and helpful introduction to the policy and ethical implications of the dual-use dilemma in the bioethical sciences. It should be read by policymakers and scientists. Many others, including students, scholars studying interactions of science, technology, and society would benefit from this pithy report.....

- A. Briggle, University of Twente, Enschede the Netherlands, Nanoethics 2009 3:75-77.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Seumas Miller

  • Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and National Centre for Biosecurity The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Michael J. Selgelid

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