Comments on: National Human Genome Research Institute Debates Race

By: Dan S.

Dan S. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:30:01 +0000

It strikes me that if one wants to discuss professional ethical responsibility – instead of arguing that scientists have a duty to repress results one could argue that scientists have a duty to publicly contextualize results. Under this argument, professionally ethical scientists would be duty bound to teach the public how to interpret their research. Intermediaries, like journalists, would be used to help fulfill this obligation. However, they would not have primary responsibility. If results are taken out of their proper methodological context and used in an inappropriate way intermediaries or by the general public, the scientist will have at least done her best to oppose this misuse.

By: razib

razib — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:58:20 +0000

CAFR + scientist = 0

By: richardparker01@yahoo.com

richardparker01@yahoo.com — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:56:39 +0000

When are Americans going to give up euphemisms?

An Amerindian is no Indian, nor is he a Native American. He probably has his own name for his own people, and we should respect that.

But then, everybody needs a general category, and Native American may have to serve for the time being.

Getting on to slightly more controversial subjects…a [edited] is a [edited] is a [edited].

God knows, we English have put up with being called Limeys for long enough by you Yanks.