ethics15.15 min read
Chemist's 35 Retractions in 24 Months Sparks Integrity Debate
1 month ago•Source: C&EN
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Ethics of embryo selection: balancing CF risk, parental love, and eugenics concerns
The Ethicist argues that using IVF with preimplantation genetic testing to avoid CF‑risk embryos can be ethically permissible, since selecting embryos is about health states rather than devaluing existing people. While the term “eugenics” is loaded, the key is whether such selection expresses contempt for those with the condition. Personal motives (like wanting a daughter) should be weighed carefully, and the analysis acknowledges the limits of genetic testing and the importance of valuing the current child while considering future risks.
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Controversial Ivy League Professor Sparks Debate with Pro-Bestiality Study
Fox News•2 years ago
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Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's Book Controversy: Ethical Dilemmas and All-Expenses-Paid Trips
New York Post •2 years ago
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Sotomayor's Staff Encouraged Book Purchases by Colleges, Report Reveals
A report by the Associated Press reveals that aides to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor have urged colleges and a library to purchase more copies of her books for public speaking events. The documents obtained show Sotomayor's staff suggesting that a library in Portland did not order enough copies of her children's book for an event, and at Clemson University, school officials offered to buy 60 signed copies, but Sotomayor's staff noted that most schools order around 400. This revelation adds to the pressure on the Supreme Court to adopt stricter ethical standards, as the court has recently faced criticism over questionable ethics decisions. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee plan to introduce legislation requiring the high court to adopt a code of ethics.
Ethical concerns arise as Justice Sotomayor's staff pushes for book sales at schools and libraries
Documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's staff has urged public institutions, such as schools and libraries, to purchase her memoir or children's books, resulting in at least $3.7 million in earnings for her since joining the court in 2009. The documents show taxpayer-funded court staff performing tasks for Sotomayor's book ventures, which is prohibited for members of Congress and the executive branch. While the Supreme Court does not have a formal code of conduct, this conduct raises concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars and the potential for conflicts of interest. Sotomayor's publisher, Penguin Random House, has also been involved in organizing her book events and has had cases before the court in which Sotomayor did not recuse herself.
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's Staff Promotes Book Sales and Ethical Dilemmas
Documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's staff has frequently urged public institutions, such as colleges and libraries, to purchase her books for events she attends, resulting in at least $3.7 million in earnings for her since joining the court in 2009. The documents highlight instances of taxpayer-funded court staff engaging in activities that would be prohibited for members of Congress and the executive branch, raising ethical concerns. While Sotomayor's publisher, Penguin Random House, has also played a role in organizing her book events, the Supreme Court lacks a formal code of conduct, allowing the justices to largely write and enforce their own rules. Critics argue that such promotional efforts risk overshadowing the institution itself and damaging the court's public standing.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: Ticket Resale, Flubs, Surprise Songs, and Survival Guide
A reader asks if it is ethical to resell Taylor Swift concert tickets at a higher price than the original face value. The Ethicist argues that while reselling tickets at a higher price is generally allowed in the market, it becomes problematic when people abuse lower-priced tickets meant to be affordable for fans. In this case, the reader's sister acquired extra tickets and offered them at a lower price than the current market value, providing an opportunity for others to attend the concert at a discounted rate. The Ethicist suggests that if members of the Facebook group disagreed with the price, they had the choice not to purchase the tickets. In a separate question, the Ethicist advises a reader who purchased a ticket for an exchange student but later had a falling out not to replace the ticket with a worse one, as it was already paid for and belonged to the student. The Ethicist suggests responding with empathy and finding a way to enjoy the concert together.
Epstein's Financial Transactions with Chomsky and Botstein Revealed
Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, received $150,000 in consulting fees in 2016 from a foundation created by Jeffrey Epstein, which he donated to the college as part of a $1 million gift. Dr. Botstein confirmed the payment from Gratitude America and said that he did not benefit personally from it. Bard College said that Dr. Botstein gave the $150,000 as part of his annual 2016 gift to Bard, along with personal savings and the rest of his non-Bard income from honoraria and outside conducting fees. The college added that it would not have accepted Epstein's support had it known the extent and horror of his crimes.