Life Science Ethics: The "two-way Journey" between Science and Life

In an interview with reporters, Li Lun, director of the Research Center for Science and Technology Ethics and Science and Technology Management at Dalian University of Technology, suggested that in addition to previous review focuses, such as risk and benefit analysis, informed consent, and privacy protection, The Life science Research Ethics (Review) Committee should also pay special attention to the review of data ethics and algorithm ethics issues brought about by the application of big data and artificial intelligence in life science research.

In addition, Li Lun also suggested that the "list of high-ethical risk life science research activities" should be stepped up, and the list should be dynamically adjusted in real time according to risk changes, so as to do a good job in life science ethical risk monitoring and early warning.

Communicating with the public is a concern

Life science technology is a typical "dual-use" technology, the right use can benefit mankind, abuse and misuse will bring risks. In the final analysis, life science technology not only explores the unknown, but also serves human welfare, which determines the participation and cooperation of multiple subjects in life science research.

Communication with the public has become one of the new concerns to strengthen ethical governance. "Communication with the public can help the public understand and support science, and help science and technology activity subjects understand the public's ethical demands for respecting life, protecting subjects' rights and animal welfare, so as to form a positive interaction between life science research and public participation, and achieve the goal of life science ethical governance." Li Lun said.

Conducting in-depth discussions with ethicists and jurists is the basis for good communication between scientists and the public. Peng Yaojin's research institute has always attached great importance to the ethics of life sciences, and he is often invited to consult other teams because of his focus on ethics and legal research in the field of biotechnology. "Many scientists in the field will consult and discuss with me about cutting-edge and controversial bioethical issues, such as what the international ethical rules are, what ethical disputes are behind them, and what issues should be paid attention to in conducting research." "Through such interactions and discussions, we work together to identify ethical risks and formulate governance strategies," Peng said.

Before conducting cutting-edge research, some research groups also organize seminars on bioethics, inviting experts, stakeholders and members of the community from different fields to participate and share their concerns. On the one hand, this is to educate and publicize the ethics of science and technology to the public, and on the other hand, it also allows scientists to receive feedback from the society. Such a form helps to promote the "two-way rush" of scientific and technological development and ethical governance.

For example, ethical discussions have been organized on the study of human-non-human animal chimeras. Peng Yaojin recalled that at the beginning, the public expressed concern and fear, and with the development and deepening of the research, scientists took organ transplantation as the entry point to show the public the experimental process and related technologies of "chimera" and the advantages in benefiting human health, and slowly eliminated the public's doubts.

viewpoint

In the field of life sciences, the development of genetic technology may raise issues such as health, personal safety, social equity and human rights. At the same time, the technology itself is also accompanied by huge risks, which can easily lead to off-target effects. Once off-target effects occur, incomplete controlled gene mutations may disrupt the inherent balance between genes and genes, and between genes and the environment, causing more hidden dangers.

-- Xu Zhihong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scientific research ethics is a new topic emerging with the development of emerging technologies. It is not only a humanistic reflection on scientific research and technology application activities, but also a requirement of self-discipline norms within the scientific community. The development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine, will have unimaginable consequences if there is no ethical code.