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http://shr.aaas.org//projects/bioethics/consulting/codes.shtml

AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

The Challenges of Ethics Consulting in the Biotechnology Industry

Main | Consulting Surveys | Survey Responses | Bibliography | Codes of Ethics |

Codes of Ethics* Resources for Biotechnology Industry Ethics Consultation+

(*For the purposes of this study, "codes of ethics" refers to any statement of ethical guidance, regardless of the format.)

+The content and design of this section owes much to the research and creative insights of James R. Howard, MBE, who at the time of his work on this project was a graduate student in bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania.


I. Purpose
II. Methodology
III. Codes of Ethics
IV. Categories of Information
V. Code Language Related to Consulting
VI. Web-based code resources


I. Purpose:

    A. To compile a list of codes of ethics for fields and disciplines that could offer guidance relevant to the activity of ethics consultation for the biotechnology industry
    B. To extract and categorize the general types of information that these codes prescribe, relevant to ethics consultation for bioindustry
    C. To present examples of how particular codes guide consulting relationships
    D. To provide links to code development resources and code databases on the Web.

II. Methodology:

    A. The search and selection of relevant codes of ethics

    Using the internet search engine Google, as well as several databases of codes of ethics on the Web --Illinois Institute of Technology, the Institute of Business Ethics, and Online Business Ethics.org-- forty relevant codes of ethics were identified for inclusion in our study. Codes were selected based on their relevance to ethics consultation for bioindustry, with four main nodes of pertinence considered:

      1. Functional purpose of the group/association/ membership- i.e., consulting
      2. Subject matter of home occupation/field of the membership-i.e., academics, sociology, anthropology, medicine, technology
      3. Type of work performed-ie research, investigation
      4. Responsibilities to relevant parties-public, science, field

     

    B. Categorization of Information

    Categories were developed based on two main factors:

      1. Categories that already exist in current codes and published literature covering the development of codes of ethics.

        Codes of ethics are organized according to certain themes. Furthermore, literature on the development of codes of ethics teaches toward code organization in terms of particular themes. The common themes as they exist in these codes and literature were considered in organizing the categories in this resource.

      2. Distinctions between various elements and responsibilities in
      consulting relationships, distinguished according to functional concept as well as according to the timeline of a consulting relationship.

        For example, confidentiality and compensation are two important and distinct conceptual elements of a consulting relationship. Furthermore, considerations of advertising and initiation of consulting relationships take place before or at the outset of consulting agreements, transparency considers activities throughout a relationship, deliverables relates to activity at the conclusion of a relationship.

    Elements of the selected codes identified by this process were then sorted into the different categories.

III. Codes of Ethics Relevant to Bioindustry Ethics Consultation

    C. Fields/ Associations/ Academies

IV. Categories

    Initiation
      The protocol for processes at origination of consulting relationship.
      Solicitation and advertisement of consultation services.

    Transparency and Communication

      Clear understanding of purposes and scope of work
      Clarity of the terms of the consulting contract
      Processes of information sharing
      Levels of access
      Continuity of communication
      Dispute resolution

    Confidentiality
      The treatment and management of proprietary information
      Contract clauses-- restrictive covenants, publish with permission
      Respect of intellectual property

    Integrity
      Incorruptibility of consultant
      Right to withdrawal from relationship
      Effects of relationship on consultant, and consultant's primary field
      Fulfillment of obligations and responsibilities to contractual and non-contractual parties (self, client, public, profession, discipline, students, colleagues)
      Management of conflicts of interest
      Professional Competence

    Compensation
      Rates of pay
      Terms of payment
      Conflicting Fees

    Deliverables and Public Disclosure
      Delivery of products, reports, advice
      Consultant's expectations of clients
      Influencing clients' proper use of products
      Disclosure of relationship to public, employers


V. Code Language Related to Consulting

To view the spreadsheet listed by category click here.

To view the spreadsheet listed by source click here.

To view the spreadsheet listed by source type click here.

VI. Web-based Code Resources

 
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