Ethics assignment for my nanotech class related to detection of viruses
Several of you have asked how I incorporate the proper philosophy into my nanotech minor. When you read this entire message, you will see that I encourage them to establish their own metaphysics, epistemology, and conditions/constraints that they will work under.
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Nanotechnology Ethics Exercise
Florida Institute of Technology
CHE/CHM 1091 - Nanotechnology Lab 1 class
Read this entire document before answering any questions. You will be asked to write your answers to the following by 4/27/2020 at 6 PM. At that time, we will discuss your responses. Constructive criticism will be encouraged during our Zoom meeting.
Charles Lieber, the recently deposed head of the Department of Chemistry at Harvard University, is one of the most acclaimed nanotechnologists in world history. He wrote many successful proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Expectations of those funding agencies include publishing findings in prestigious journals and presentations at conferences. Since these funding agencies distribute government-collected tax dollars, the government expects to be a partner in any intellectual property (IP) that may be developed.
Prof. Lieber pioneered the field of nanowires and, as part of that, developed a nanowire sensor array for detection of a range of pathogens at around the time of the SARS virus outbreak. To develop that technology, Lieber signed a DOD document that stated that he would protect both intellectual and physical property developed as part of his group's work from being used by enemies of the United States of America against us.
It is standard practice for professors to hire students and postdocs from all over the world to carry out their research work. While DOD funding and some NSF and NIH funding require that funding be only spent on U.S. citizens, most professors obtain money from government agencies and/or private entities to fund some non-U.S. members of their research groups.
Several years ago, the Chinese government offered Prof. Lieber and several other prominent nanotechnology researchers an offer to become members of the Thousand Talents Program, with much higher base salaries and other compensation as well as no need to apply for future research funding. Lieber took that offer without notifying Harvard or the U.S. government. As part of the deal, Lieber was put in charge of a research institute within the Wuhan Institute of Technology. This was the first and only institute in China designed to handle viruses as virulent as COVID-19, SARS, Ebola, etc. Without making any judgment on Prof. Lieber personally or whether the release of COVID-19 was accidental or intentional, I refer you to the following:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/harvar...
1) Metaphysics refers to one's view of reality. How do you define "reality"? What is your view of reality? How do you define "facts"? What is your view of "facts"? Are those views dependent on or independent of your feelings, wishes, hopes, and/or fears?
2) Epistemology refers to "How, or on what basis, do you know what you know?". What do you, in fact, know, and how do you know it? What assumptions, if any, are you making in coming to such conclusions?
3) If either Prof. Lieber and/or one or more of his former students and/or postdocs wanted to start a company based off of the nanowire sensor array detection of pathogen technology, what constraints would such a company operate under a) if they were privately funded and purchased the IP from Harvard and the U.S. government; and separately b), if they went to China or some other country to start such a company?
4) What conditions and/or constraints are you willing to agree to in order to pursue a) research and training under a mentor; b) working for a for-profit company; and c) start a company as a founder or co-founder. Realize that you will probably will not be able to afford some of your goals without any funding at any point whatsoever.
5) What conditions and/or constraints are you NOT willing to agree to in order to pursue a) research and training under a mentor; b) working for a for-profit company; and c) start a company as a founder or co-founder.
6) The previous questions have helped you establish your ethics/morality. Summarize your views on laws and government. Consider how different local, state, national, and international government and non-governmental entities (such as the World Health Organization) have attempted to control the behavior of individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. What opportunities did the COVID-19 outbreak generate, and what opportunities have been lost as a result of the outbreak? How does one take advantage of the new opportunities?
7) It is entirely likely that the COVID-19 outbreak started from a building that Prof. Lieber was the director of, whether it was unintentional or not. Put yourself in Lieber's position at various stages of his career, and delineate what you would have done to achieve your career goals and convert your ideas into a viable product.
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FYI: Like all universities and companies right now, the overreaction to the coronavirus has hit my university, Florida Tech (nee the Patrick Henry University?), quite hard. I do not want your alms, but knowing that you are thinking of us as I am molding future Galts, D'Anconia's, etc. will help keep my spirits up.
--------------------------------------
Nanotechnology Ethics Exercise
Florida Institute of Technology
CHE/CHM 1091 - Nanotechnology Lab 1 class
Read this entire document before answering any questions. You will be asked to write your answers to the following by 4/27/2020 at 6 PM. At that time, we will discuss your responses. Constructive criticism will be encouraged during our Zoom meeting.
Charles Lieber, the recently deposed head of the Department of Chemistry at Harvard University, is one of the most acclaimed nanotechnologists in world history. He wrote many successful proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Expectations of those funding agencies include publishing findings in prestigious journals and presentations at conferences. Since these funding agencies distribute government-collected tax dollars, the government expects to be a partner in any intellectual property (IP) that may be developed.
Prof. Lieber pioneered the field of nanowires and, as part of that, developed a nanowire sensor array for detection of a range of pathogens at around the time of the SARS virus outbreak. To develop that technology, Lieber signed a DOD document that stated that he would protect both intellectual and physical property developed as part of his group's work from being used by enemies of the United States of America against us.
It is standard practice for professors to hire students and postdocs from all over the world to carry out their research work. While DOD funding and some NSF and NIH funding require that funding be only spent on U.S. citizens, most professors obtain money from government agencies and/or private entities to fund some non-U.S. members of their research groups.
Several years ago, the Chinese government offered Prof. Lieber and several other prominent nanotechnology researchers an offer to become members of the Thousand Talents Program, with much higher base salaries and other compensation as well as no need to apply for future research funding. Lieber took that offer without notifying Harvard or the U.S. government. As part of the deal, Lieber was put in charge of a research institute within the Wuhan Institute of Technology. This was the first and only institute in China designed to handle viruses as virulent as COVID-19, SARS, Ebola, etc. Without making any judgment on Prof. Lieber personally or whether the release of COVID-19 was accidental or intentional, I refer you to the following:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/harvar...
1) Metaphysics refers to one's view of reality. How do you define "reality"? What is your view of reality? How do you define "facts"? What is your view of "facts"? Are those views dependent on or independent of your feelings, wishes, hopes, and/or fears?
2) Epistemology refers to "How, or on what basis, do you know what you know?". What do you, in fact, know, and how do you know it? What assumptions, if any, are you making in coming to such conclusions?
3) If either Prof. Lieber and/or one or more of his former students and/or postdocs wanted to start a company based off of the nanowire sensor array detection of pathogen technology, what constraints would such a company operate under a) if they were privately funded and purchased the IP from Harvard and the U.S. government; and separately b), if they went to China or some other country to start such a company?
4) What conditions and/or constraints are you willing to agree to in order to pursue a) research and training under a mentor; b) working for a for-profit company; and c) start a company as a founder or co-founder. Realize that you will probably will not be able to afford some of your goals without any funding at any point whatsoever.
5) What conditions and/or constraints are you NOT willing to agree to in order to pursue a) research and training under a mentor; b) working for a for-profit company; and c) start a company as a founder or co-founder.
6) The previous questions have helped you establish your ethics/morality. Summarize your views on laws and government. Consider how different local, state, national, and international government and non-governmental entities (such as the World Health Organization) have attempted to control the behavior of individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. What opportunities did the COVID-19 outbreak generate, and what opportunities have been lost as a result of the outbreak? How does one take advantage of the new opportunities?
7) It is entirely likely that the COVID-19 outbreak started from a building that Prof. Lieber was the director of, whether it was unintentional or not. Put yourself in Lieber's position at various stages of his career, and delineate what you would have done to achieve your career goals and convert your ideas into a viable product.
--------------------------------------
FYI: Like all universities and companies right now, the overreaction to the coronavirus has hit my university, Florida Tech (nee the Patrick Henry University?), quite hard. I do not want your alms, but knowing that you are thinking of us as I am molding future Galts, D'Anconia's, etc. will help keep my spirits up.
After all choosing good over evil and right over wrong is all about the minds control over the temptations of the brain.
I get it, I've been there, it's not easy when one's mind is so preoccupied that it allows one's brain to take the reigns in order to accomplish one's goals.
On second thought, what stops us from doing this more often? I guess, lack of time. The pandemic changed a lot of issues in time management.
Again, thank you all for an interesting and insightful discussion.
Stay well.
Silly old fogy a.k.a. Maritimus
Now, however, the type of battlefield is changing.
Lessons from Sun Tzu's The Art of War are always instructive.
"In the midst of chaos, there is always opportunity."
I always appreciate Professor Brenner bringing up interesting topics and he did NOT miss here. As always, Kudo's to the Professor in activating those brain cells. He did it to me in the past and I think he has done it again.
The Chinese actors in this are simply spies and thieves doing what spies and thieves do. You'd think someone as smart as the professor would suspect something was afoot - of course he may not have cared a whit with all that loot and accolades flowing in his direction.
Just wondering, is it common to have 29 and 30 year old foreign "students" hanging around colleges doing this type of research? I would expect by that age they'd be doing something else and younger students would be helping out the professor.
I certainly hope it never comes to a State Science Institute here in the United States, but I think that will largely depend on the choices made in the next few years and whether or not a global economic downturn forces nations into making some stark decisions...
I agree. What should also be taken into account there is how much influence the government has on said individual.
That's why I contend that there is no such thing as a "private" market in China at this time. When a government can tell a research professor to destroy research and stop talking to anyone regarding a matter, that individual doesn't really own themself or the products of their mind...
I am considering opening my class up to the entire Honors College at my university that night (4/27). I am also considering inviting you. Before I do that, I definitely need to ask the students for their permission.
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