Ethics in research

[Guest guest]

What is ethics?

Ethics originate from moral behavior. Thus ethics are moral code of conduct.

After acculturation and imbibing, ethics flow from within.

Ethics are all pervasive and concern our thought, actions (work, deeds) and

speech (in Hindi vernacular - kaaya, vaacha and mansa).

Ethics help in differentiating the right from wrong.

Ethics show the rational way to guide towards moral choices, duties &

obligation.

Ethics dictate knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP).

While laws are written and control the external observable behavior in society,

ethics control the inner self and are mostly self driven. Code of ethics may be

a written text document to guide but never the less it is not all comprehensive

and omnipotent to check all deviations. Hence ethical conduct requires " self " to

control " self " .

We pass moral judgment that destruction of human embryos is wrong, because it

amounts to killing. Yet we offer no resistance to sacrificing animals,

butchering livestock for meat, consuming fertilizable eggs, using insecticides,

pesticides or bactericidal medicines. We continue to have reservations in

accepting the recommendation of abortion since it involves termination of a

human life because we consider the human fetus as more precious than other

species. Our ethical considerations are thus guided by social values and norms.

Ethics thus guide good moral behavior with humane considerations.

I look forward to your opinions.

Vijay