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ENGINEERING ETHICS

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CHAPTER # 1
ETHICS AND THEIR NEED
1.1 MEANING OF ETHICS
Moral values are fundamental beliefs about what is good
or bad, right or wrong, like it is wrong to hurt any person; while
ethics are standards of conduct in keeping with morals values,
like speak truth, etc.
Ethics is defined as the discipline dealing with what is
good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. It is a branch
of philosophy that addresses questions about morality, which
means the concepts of good or evil, right or wrong. It is a code of
conduct for a person according to which he is expected or is
required to behave or interact with others. It is thus a particular
set of beliefs, attitudes, and habits that a person or group displays
concerning morality. It is therefore a matter of principled
sensitivity to rights of others.
1.2 NEED OF ETHICS
Man is a social animal who not only has to live with others,
but is also interdependent upon them. The society can work
properly only when its members follow certain norms of behavior,
which are clearly defined and segregate right from wrong, good
from bad, and acceptable from unacceptable. The religions always
provided these norms or guidelines, and philosophers also worked
extensively on them. Thus, highly acceptable moral norms and
standards were formulated, which are known as ethics.
1.3 CODE OF CONDUCT / ETHICS
A code of conduct or ethics is a moral framework of
standard conduct that applies to all individuals within society,
which every rational person wants every other person to follow.
These may include:
Respect the right of others;
Show fairness in your dealings with others;
Be honest with others;
Keep promises and contracts;
Consider the welfare of others; and
Show compassion to others.
However, separate code of ethics have also been prepared
and followed by members of different professional bodies. These
codes include the above universal standards plus those specific to
their profession. All the code of ethics are not laws or punishable,
unless the violation also breaks the countrys laws. However,
these codes are respected and their violation is not considered as
desirable.

CHAPTER # 2
ENGINEERING ETHICS
2.1 WHO IS ENGINEER AND ENGINEERING PROFESSION
An engineer is a person who has the educational
qualification to adopt engineering profession. The Profession
means job or occupation and to be a professional at some
activity means merely to earn ones living through it. Thus
professionals are those who have knowledge of the profession,
are engaged in that professional activity and doing some public
good. A professional engineer is considered to be a person who
has at least a bachelors degree from a recognized institute,
engaged in engineering related job/work, member of concerned
recognized Engineering Council/Association, and acts in morally
responsible ways while practicing engineering.
2.2 WHY ENGINEERING ETHICS ARE NEEDED?
Engineers create products and processes to satisfy basic
human needs of food, shelter and in addition enhance the
convenience and comfort level of human beings and make our
everyday life more beautiful. They even make possible
spectacular human triumphs once dreamed of in myth and
scientific fiction like space shuttle programs. The outcome of
engineers is always practical in nature. Such outcomes are mostly
usually considered to be the design, manufacturing and operation
of useful devices, products and processes, often done at a large
scale. To realize these outcomes, the engineers use their
knowledge of science and math, combined with imaginations,
reasoning, judgements, and experiences. These outcomes have
made enormous contributions to the material well being of
individuals around the world, but each creates enormous risks,
which can result in drastic human, material and financial losses.
Incidently, the great liability of engineer compared to men of
other professions is that his works are out in the open where all
can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He
cannot bury his mistakes in grave like the doctors. He cannot
avoid the blames like judges, lawyers, architects, politicians, etc.,
because he simply cannot deny that he did it. If his work does not
work, he is damned. Hence one may conclude that need of
engineering ethics is due to:
Cost of engineering lapses, which could be too high.
Inappropriate development of technology is on the increase,
like defense production, which is destructive of moral values
of mankind. Presently defense industry is the largest
industry in the world. Pornography could also be cited as
example.
Appropriate technology is available for certain basic human
necessities, like 1.2 Billion persons do not have the facility of
clean drinking water, but appropriate funding is not being
provided for it to use the said technology.
The engineers have to tackle some morality problems when
they have to make some compromises in design, input
materials, production or quality due to conflicting morality of
other concerned people like owners, managers, competitors
or even consumers. The engineers, thus, have to draw a line
beyond which the product becomes harmful and the
engineer should not become party to that.
2.3 DEFINITION / MEANING OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
Engineering ethics are defined as the study of moral
issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations
engaged in engineering, and the study of related questions about
the moral ideas, character, policies, and relationships of people
and corporations engaged in technological activities. The
engineering ethics constitute the rules and standards governing
the conduct of engineers in their role as professionals. In other
words it is a body of philosophy indicating the ways that
engineers should conduct themselves in the professional capacity.
However there are also ethics for engineering, which have wider
scope than ethics of engineers as these apply to engineering
practices and also include decisions made by others engaged in
controlling the technological enterprises, including scientists,
managers, production workers, technicians, supervisors, sales
staff, govt. officials, elected representatives, lawyers, and the
general public.
The Engineering Code of Ethics provides a framework for
ethical judgements for a professional. These codes express the
rights, duties, and obligations of the members of engineering
profession.
These codes of ethics are not something which an
engineer may remember by heart, but these are
something that engineers need to understand and be able
to live by as engineers.

CHAPTER # 3
ENGINEERING AS SOCIAL
EXPERIMENTATION
3.1 WHAT IS EXPERIMENT
To undertake a great work, and especially a work of novel
type, means carrying out an experiment. It means taking up a
struggle with the forces of nature without the assurance of
emerging as a victor after the first attempt. In other words it is
trying to do something new or novel, the outcome of which could
be success or failure and one works in the situation of uncertainty.
3.2 WHY ENGINEERING IS SOCIAL EXPEREIMENT?
All products of technology present some potential
dangers, and thus engineering is an inherently risky activity. In
order to underscore this fact and help in exploring its ethical
implications, engineering should be viewed as an experimental
process. It is not an experiment conducted solely in laboratory
controlled conditions. It is an experiment on a social scale
involving human subjects. Experimentation is commonly
recognized to play an essential role in the design process.
Preliminary tests or simulations are conducted from the time it is
decided to convert a new engineering concept into its first rough
design. Materials and processes are tried out, usually employing
formal experimental techniques. Such tests serve as the basis for
more detailed designs which, in turn, are tested. At the production
stage, further tests are run until a finished product evolves. The
normal design process is thus iterative, carried out on trial
designs, with modifications being made on the basis of feedback
information acquired from tests. Beyond those specific tests and
experiments, however, each engineering project, taken as a
totality, may itself be viewed as an experiment.

3.3 COMPARISON WITH STANDARD EXPERIMENTS


Similarities
Both types of experiments are carried out in partial
ignorance i.e. without fully confirming the behavior or
outcome of factors/materials involved in the process. Their
final outcome is also generally uncertain. The ongoing
success in both types of experimentation depends on
knowledge gained before or after experimentation
Contrasts:
1. The experimental control in standard experiment is
with the process/group involved in experiment, while it
is with others like clients, consumers, managers etc. in
engineering experimentation.
2. Engineering is viewed as experiment on a social scale,
while standard experimentation may not be on a social
scale. The engineers have primary obligation to protect
the safety of human subjects and respect their right of
consent and finally accept accountability for the
results, which is missing in standard experiments.
3. The clients are required to be kept informed of
engineering experimentation and their consent
needed, which is not required in standard
experimentation.
4. Scientific experiments are conducted to gain new
knowledge, while engineering projects are not
necessarily designed to produce very much knowledge
and their best outcome is to tell us nothing new but
merely confirmation that we are right about something
or not.
3.4 LEARNING FROM THE PAST
The engineers are expected to learn from the past
experiences, but unfortunately that is frequently not the case.
Like the Titanic lacked a sufficient number of lifeboats: decades
later most of the passengers and crew perished on the ship
Arctic because of the same problem. Normally this happens due
to lack of established channels of communication, misplaced
pride and not asking for information, embarrassment at failure,
plain neglect or new experimentation with mere intentions to
prove earlier persons wrong. This makes it necessary for
engineers not to rely on handbooks alone, but like
experimentation, demand practitioners to remain alert and well
informed at every stage of the projects history.

3.5 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
It means the awareness or sensitivity to the full range of
moral values and responsibilities that are relevant to a given
situation and the willingness to develop the skills and expend the
effort needed to reach the best balance possible among those
considerations. The engineers, therefore, have to keep their eyes
open, ears open, and an open mind to recognize the situation, its
implications, and identify who is involved or affected.
Conscientiousness is blind without relevant factual information.
Hence an engineer has to be committed to get all relevant
information to meet his moral obligations.
3.6 ADVANTAGE OF CONCIEVING ENGINEERING AS
SOCIAL EXPERIMENTATION
It restores the vision of engineer as guardians of public
interest, whose professional duty demands him to guard the
welfare and safety of those affected by engineering projects. And
this helps that safety and welfare will not be disregarded in the
quest for new knowledge, the rush for profits, a narrow adherence
to rules, or a concern over benefits for the many, which ignores
harm to the few.

CHAPTER # 4
ETHICAL THEORIES
4.1 HISTORY
The known ethical thinking started with Divine guidance
like teachings of Judaism and later by Greek philosophers like
Plato and Aristotle. The theories at that time were virtue based.
Aristotle defined virtue as an acquired habit which enables us to
engage effectively in rational activities. Wisdom is most
important virtue and good judgement necessary for successful
rational activities ranging from engineering to philosophical
inquiry. He gave the theory that tendencies find Golden Mean
between the extremes too much (excess) and too little
(deficiency). He believed each virtue governing a part aspect of
our life, like courage governs confrontation with danger and risk.
Later a number of virtue theories were also presented by other
philosophers and thinkers.

4.2 MODERN THEORIES OF RIGHT ACTION / MORALITY


Utilitarianism____ It believes in producing most good for
the most people, i.e. the actions with best utility (utility is
overall balance of good over bad consequences), by taking
into account the consequences for everyone affected; like
dam building has more utility than the sufferings of those
displaced on account it.
Duty Ethics____ They contend that there are duties that
should be performed (like duties to treat others fairly and
not to injure others), regardless of whether these acts lead
to most good. These are normally universal principles. Once
a persons duties are recognized, the ethically correct moral
actions are obvious.
Right Ethics____ They emphasize that we all have moral
rights and any action that violates these rights is ethically
unacceptable. Like duty ethics, the ultimate overall good is
not taken into account. For example in dam building, the
rights of persons to be displaced on account of it are given
preference.
Virtue Ethics____ They regard those actions as right that
manifest good traits (virtues), and regards those actions as
bad that display bad traits (vice). This ethical theory focuses
on the type of person we should strive for. The virtues are
trustworthiness, truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, etc.; while
vices are irresponsibility, dishonesty, disloyalty,
incompetence, etc.
In short, the basic concepts in above theories are most
good for the most people in Utilitarianism, duties to respect
persons in Duty ethics, human rights in Right ethics, and values
and vices in Virtue ethics. The engineering acts are morally right
when:
They produce the most good for the most people. (Act-
utilitarianism);
They fall under a rule that if widely followed would produce
the most good for the most people. (Right-utilitarianism)
They fall under principles of duty that respect the autonomy
and rationality of persons, and that can be willed universally
to apply to all people. (Duty theories)
They fall under principles that would be agreed upon by all
rational agents in a hypothetical contracting situation that
assures impartiality. (Duty theories)
They are the best ways to respect the human rights of
everyone affected. (Rights theories)
They most fully manifest or support relevant virtues, where
virtues are traits of character making possible the
achievements of social goods. (Virtue theories)
4.3 USES OF ETHICAL THEORIES
Help in resolving moral dilemmas ( moral dilemmas are
situations in which two or more moral obligations, duties,
rights, goals ,or ideals come into conflict with one another,
and it appears that they all cannot be fully respected or
accommodated).
Justifying moral obligations of engineers and others involved
in technological development.
Relating professional and ordinarily morality. The engineers
acquire special obligations by joining a professional society
or Association and thereby live by that societys code of
ethics.
The ethical theories help to identify and justify the general
obligation of professionals and link professional ethics with
ordinary morality. Moreover, these codes follow the normal
morality laws of society and therefore give them
acceptability.

CHAPTER # 5
ENGINEERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR
SAFETY AND RISK
5.1 SAFETY
Everyone demands safe products and service as no one
wishes to be threatened by potential harms. But it is a
complicated matter as one thing is safe for one and may not be
for another, like a saw is useful for a wood cutter but may not be
safe in the hands of a child. Absolute safety, in the sense of a
degree that satisfies all individuals or groups under all conditions
is neither attainable nor affordable. Safety is defined as a thing is
safe if its risks are judged to be acceptable.
5.2 RISK
Risk is the potential that something unwanted and harmful
may occur or possibility of suffering harm or loss. We engage in
risk behavior when we do something that is unsafe, and
something is unsafe if it involves substantial risk of injury or
damage. The risk is considered acceptable when the people are
generally no longer (or not) apprehensive about it (i.e. how much
they perceive the gravity or possibility of risk). Risks are of
following types:
Voluntary vs. Involuntary
Many consider something safer if they knowingly take
the risk, but would find it unsafe if forced to do, like
buying a cheaper house near a plant that emits toxic
waste into the air.
Short Term vs. Long Term Consequences
Something that might cause a short term illness or
disability seem safer that will result in permanent
disability after a long period of time, like in an activity
the fractured leg risk will appear much less a risk than
losing the life.
Expected Probability
Many would consider one in million chances of severe
injury to be acceptable risk, where as a 50-50 chance of
minor injury may not be acceptable.
Reversible Effects
Something will seem less risky if the bad effects are
ultimately reversible.
Threshold Levels of Risk
Something that is risky only at fairly high exposures will
seem safer than something with a uniform exposure of
risks, like low levels of nuclear radiations could be
beneficial, but beyond a threshold really fatal.
Delayed vs. Immediate Risk
An activity whose harm is delayed for many years will
seem much less risky than something with an
immediate effect; like high fat diet has risks in long
term and may be acceptable, but skydiving with very
high immediate risk unacceptable.

5.3 ASSESMENT OF SAFETY AND RISK


Absolute safety is not attainable, and any improvement
in safety as it relates to an engineered product is accompanied by
an increase in the cost of the product. Hence some compromising
standards of safety are required to be determined, which are
normally based on:
Knowledge of Risk___ Of the extent and nature of risk and
possible damage
Uncertainties in Design___ Risk are seldom intentionally
designed into a product. It arises because of the many
uncertainties faced by the design engineer, the
manufacturing engineer, and even the sales and application
engineer.
Testing for Safety___ It refers to detailed testing of
everything i.e. constituent part of material to ensure
prescribed safety standard/fault free state.
5.4 SAFETY AND THE ENGINEER
Safety is an essential part of engineers duties. He has to
ensure safe design by complying with the applicable laws; it
must meet the standard of accepted engineering practice;
alternative designs that are potentially safer must be explored;
and the engineers must attempt to foresee potential misuse of
the product by consumers, and must design to avoid these
problems. In order to incorporate safety in design, the
engineer must define the problem, generate several solutions,
select the best solution, and implement the chosen solution. The
next thing he has to do is to carry out risk-benefit analysis to
ensure that the risks as well as the benefits of his design are
shared equally in society. Finally the engineer has to tackle with
accidents, which could be due to procedural errors, design
errors, or systematic errors (errors in the system of organization
engaged in or dependent on engineering works like airline
industry, railway system, etc.)

CHAPTER # 6
ENGINEERS RESPONSIBILITIES AND
RIGHTS
6.1 ENGINEERS RIGHTS
Human right to pursue their work and not to be unfairly
discriminated against in employment on the basis of gender,
race or age.
Institutional rights arising from specific agreement in the
contract, like salary, leaves, etc. The terms of employment
cant be altered to the disadvantage of employee engineer
without his prior consent.
Right to exercise professional judgment in pursuing
professional responsibilities. Pursuing these responsibilities
involve exercising both technical judgment and moral
conviction.
Right of institutional recognition of rights like of professional
conscience, obligation to protect the safety and well being of
the public, right to follow the code of conduct of their
professional bodies/Associations, etc.
Right to refuse to engage in unethical behavior, like
compromises on design, manufacturing, quality etc. This is
also known as right of conscientious refusal.
Right to professional recognition for their work and
accomplishments. Part of this involves fair monetary
remunerations, and part nonmonetary forms of recognition.
Right to pursue outside activities i.e. private life off the job
6. 2 ENGINEERS RESPONSIBILITIES
Loyalty to employer in fulfilling contractual duties and
lawful order.
Loyalty to respective Professional Associations, of which he is
the member.
Loyalty to group with which working.
One may leave the organization if one feels that there is
conflict between his and organizational goals and practices
and it is impossible to conform to organizational goals and
remain loyal with them.
Collegiality i.e. respect of other engineers engaged in
producing socially useful and safe products; commitment
(i.e. sharing a devotion) to the moral ideals inherent in the
practice of engineering; and connectedness (i.e. an
awareness of being part of a co-operative undertaking
created by shared commitments and expertise). Thus
collegiality provides an environment having professionalism,
a general sense of well being, and a spirit of cooperation.
Confidentiality of information and proprietary
information from those whom one is not supposed to give
it.
Not to indulge in illegal gratification by accepting
bribes as these place one in compromising situation in
which one has to fulfill the immoral demands of person
offering bribes (This does not bar gift acceptance, which are
permitted by organizational rules, are of nominal value, and
do not put one in compromising positions).
Not to indulge in organizational crimes like
embezzlement and fraud; leaking trade secrets; white collar
crimes like manipulating records, premature leaking of
information; theft of computer information;
disclosure/smuggling of trade secrets and conducting illegal
industrial espionage i.e. spying on others, but counter-
intelligence is perfectly legal and essential.
6.3 METHODS TO ACHIEVE COLLEGIALITY
Collegiality can be achieved by,
Identifying a handful of persons who are central to the
collegiality of organization and their attitude and shared
values become model and inspiration for others.
Establishing/restoring a sense of professionalism.
Providing/giving healthy/dynamic organizational visions, like
we want organization to achieve this and this standard, etc.
Defining expectations of employees so that they may not
face disappointment in future.
Paying attention to structure of organization for providing
effective means of collegiality.
Score keeping i.e. defining the yard stick of measuring input
of engineers in productivity.
Compensation system, which motivates engineers, gives
rewards and identifies the ties with partners/owners/seniors.
Having trust on engineers and inculcating trust and vice
versa.
Recognizing formal and informal leadership and effectively
utilizing them.
Fair selection of deserving persons, otherwise it will be GIGO
(garbage in and garbage out).
Having helpful attitude.
Giving balance in power distributions as absolute power can
corrupt a person, and less power can make the job/decision
making difficult/poor.
Evaluating partners in constructive and positive spirit.
Defining organizational approach for tackling problem
partners.
Focusing attention on business and organizational
development.

CHAPTER # 7
THE CONTROVERSIAL ETHIC--WHISTLE
BLOWING
7.1 WHAT IS WHISTLE BLOWING
It is the most controversial topic in engineering ethics. It is
normally making public accusations about misconduct by ones
organization. It may involve public statements outside the
organization, like to press, and sometimes whistle is blown within
the organization, whether in bypassing approved organized
channels or by going against the desires of ones supervisor or
others. The whistle is blown with the intention that someone
competent may take action on the problem. It would be open
whistle blowing when individuals conveying information openly
also convey their identity; while it is anonymous whistle
blowing if they conceal their identity.
7.2 MAIN FEATURES OF WHISTLE BLOWING
Information is intentionally conveyed outside approved
organizational channels or in situation where the person
conveying it is under pressure from supervisor or others not
to do so.
The information concerns, what the person believes, is a
significant moral problem for the organization; like criminal
behavior, unethical practices, injustice to workers within the
organization and serious threats to public safety and well-
being.
The person disclosing is in service or ex-employee of the
organization.
The information is conveyed to a person or organization
which is in a position to act on the problem and take
remedial measures.

7.3 MORAL GUIDELINES FOR EXTERNAL BLOW


WHISTLING
If the harm that will be done by the product to public is
serious and considerable.
The person has made his concerns to his superiors.
He does not get satisfaction from his immediate supervisors
and has exhausted all the organizational prescribed
channels, including going direct to the top person.
He has documented evidence that would convince a
reasonable and partial observer that his view of the situation
is correct and organizational policy is wrong.
There must be strong evidence that making the information
public will in fact prevent the threatened serious harm.
7.4 CONDITIONS FOR WHISTLE BLOWING
The decision to blow whistle is taken when following
conditions are met:
Need____ One is convinced that the harm could be avoided
by blowing the whistle;
Proximity____ The whistle blower must be in a clear position
to report on the problem. He must have first-hand
knowledge and does not rely on hearsay.
Capability____ The whistle blower must have a reasonable
chance of success in stopping the harmful activity otherwise
he is not obliged to risk his career.
Last Resort____ When all the organizational channels have
been exhausted and whistle blowing is the only possible way
for remedial action.

CHAPTER # 8
GLOBAL ISSUES IN ETHICAL PRACTICES
8.1 GLOBALIZATION
In the recent past, technology and media expansion have
shrunk the world and society, reinforcing the concept of all
people having common concerns, and needing to reconcile
differences in their value systems.
These changes in outlook have been reflected in significant
international high-level discussions driven by the recognition
of common concerns of all national communities.
The globalization of markets has been accompanied by the
development and growth of multinational corporations
(MNCs) which operate across local and national boundaries.
The increasing international flows of capital, technology,
trade and people have had the effect of changing the nature
of local organizations, governments and people of countries,
and have led to social changes and development.
8.2 CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES
World communities are much more interdependent. Differing
views as to the nature of the good and of the right have a
real impact on peace and prosperity.
The decisions of a single powerful individual can affect the
lives of many millions of others for better or for worse. The
issues arising from this globalization are complex.
They require an in-depth study of the value systems and the
physical, economic, political and cultural parameters of all
the individuals and communities involved. This requires a
cross-cultural ethical audit of a much more strategic nature
than the audit of a particular project or enterprise.
The professional engineer may have neither the training nor
the experience to carry out such a study. It, however, be
within his authority to ensure that all these factors are
considered, and to engage the assistance of fellow
professionals who can make an objective and understanding
assessment of the situation.
The operations under consideration may involve a highly
degree of risk. They may be subject to fluctuations in the
money markets, or instability and disturbance in some of the
nations involved.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the engineering
profession is the enabling of activities that improve the
quality of the lives of others, without diminishing the rich
variety of human experience and fulfillment.
Responding to ethical dilemmas in the engineering context
cannot always be straightforward, not least because life
itself is rarely so. Hence, handling such dilemmas requires:
a. Ethical thinking that enables the professional to
understanding the data, values and consequence of the
case.
b. Careful attention to methods so that the dilemma is not
turned into a crusade social and self-awareness and the
development of a professional value system.
c. Awareness and development of codes of ethics, in particular
companies, or on a particular project, so that ethical
discussions are open and evident.
d. Awareness and development of interdisciplinary codes and
cross-cultural factors.
8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
One of the most important political issues of the late 20 th
century has been environmental protection and the rise of
the environmental movement. This movement has sought to
control the introduction of toxic and unnatural substances
into the environment, to protect the integrity of the
biosphere, and to ensure a health environment for humans.
Engineers are responsible in part for the creation of the
technology that has led to damage of the environment and
are also working to find solutions to the problems caused by
modern technology.
The environmental movement has led to an increased
awareness among engineers that they have a responsibility
to use their knowledge and skills to help protect the
environment.
As concern about the environment has grown, ethicists have
turned their attention to the ethical dimensions of
environmentalism.
In the late 1960s, an area of study called environmental
ethics was formulated, seeking to explore the ethical roots
of the environmental movement and to understand what
ethics tells us about our responsibility to the environment.
Our Western ethical tradition is anthropocentric, meaning
that only human beings have moral standing. Animals and
plants are important only in respect of their usefulness to
humans.
This type of thinking is often evident even within the
environmental movement when a case is sometimes made
for the protection of rare plants based on their potential for
providing new medicines.
One way to explore the environments moral status is to try
to answer some questions regarding the place of humans in
our environment. Do we belong to nature, or does nature
belong to us? If animals have moral standing, how far does
this moral standing then extend to other like forms, such as
trees?
Regardless of the goal (i.e., either protecting human health
or protecting the overall health of the biosphere for its own
sake), there are multiple approaches that can be taken to
resolving environmental problems. The first approach is
sometimes referred to as the cost-oblivious approach.
In this approach, cost is not taken into account, but rather
the environment is made as clean as possible. No level of
environmental degradation is seen as acceptable. This
approach bears a striking resemblance to rights and duty
ethics.
A second approach is based on cost-benefit analysis, which
is derived from utilitarianism. Here, the problem is analyzed
in terms of the benefits derived by reducing the pollution.
Cost-benefit analysis does not necessarily take morality or
ethics into account. The only considerations are costs and
benefits, with no room for a discussion of whether what is
being done is right or not.
As professionals, engineers have the right to express their
opinions on moral issues such as the environment. An
engineer should not be compelled by his employer to work
on a project that he finds ethically troubling, including
projects with severe environmental impact.
For many environmental issues engineers are not competent
to make decisions but should instead seek the counsel of
others such as biologists, public health experts, and
physicians who have the knowledge to help analyze and
understand the possible environmental consequences of a
project.
8.4 COMPUTER ETHICS
The engineers roles as designer, manager, and user of
computers bring with them a responsibility to help foster the
ethical use of computers.
There are three broad categories of computer ethics
problems: those for which the computer is the instrument of
the unethical act, such as the use of a computer to defraud a
bank; those for which the computer is the object of the act,
as when computer software is stolen and installed on ones
own computer or when information is accessed from
someone elses computer; and those problems associated
with the autonomous nature of computers.

8.5 COMPUTERS AS THE INSTRUMENTAL OF UNETHICAL


BEHAVIOUR
By privacy, we mean the basic right of an individual to
control access to and use of information about oneself. Why
is privacy an ethical issue? Invasions of privacy can be
harmful to an individual in two ways. First, the leaking of
private information can lead to an individuals being
harassed or blackmailed. In its most simple form, this
harassment may come in the form of repeated phone calls
from telemarketers who have obtained information about an
individuals spending habits.
8.6 WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT
One of the largest employers of engineers worldwide is the
defense industry. This is by no means a modern trend;
throughout history, many innovations in engineering and
science have come about as a result of the development of
weapons.
8.7 ETHICS AND RESEARCH
There are two major ethical issues related to research:
honestly in approaching the research problem and honestly
in reporting the results. The first relates to a state of mind
essential to successfully performing research. This state of
mind includes avoiding preconceived notions about what the
results will be, being open to changing the hypotheses when
such action is warranted by the evidence, and generally
ensuring that an objective frame of mind is maintained.
Results must also be accurately reported. Once an
experiment or test has been performed, the results of the
experiment must not be overstated, but rather an accurate
assessment and interpretation of the data must be given.
It is also important to ensure that proper credit is given to
everyone who participated in a research project. Rarely is
research performed by a single investigator working alone in
this laboratory. Generally, there is participation by other
people, who should be acknowledged for their contributions
such as discussions or guidance, construction of
experimental apparatus or substantial help with performing
experiments or interpreting data.
Often, the pressure to get a new product to market leads the
test engineer to fudge data to qualify the product.
8.8 ANALYSIS ETHICAL PROBLEMS IN RESEARCH
The easiest means to determine what is best ethically in
performing research and experiment is to consult the codes
of ethics of the engineering professional societies. All these
codes include language requiring engineers to be honest in
reporting the result of work and assigning credit for the work
done.
The ethical theories can also be used to analyze issues
involving research. Utilitarianism or rights and duty ethics
can be applied to research, but it is perhaps easiest to
examine research issues using virtue ethics.
One of the virtues is honesty. Honesty facilitates trust and
good relations between individuals, whereas dishonesty
leads to doubts and misgiving about others.
Likewise, not giving credit to everyone who has participated
in a project is dishonest, and virtue ethics maintains that this
practice is unacceptable.
8.9 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPRs)
Intellectual Property is a class of property emanating
primarily from the activities of the human intellect. Any
property, movable or immovable, is legally protected to
prevent it from being stolen. Similarly, the rights in an
intellectual property created need also to be protected to
prevent infringement.
The legal rights accrued on the intellectual property created
are termed (intellectual property rights IPR). These rights are
governed by the law on IPR of the country which grants such
rights.
There are various forms of IPR. The Trade Related Aspects of
IPR popularly known as TRIPS, in the Agreement of the World
Trade Organization (WTO), recognize seven forms of IPR,
namely, patents, design, trade marks, copyrights,
geographical indication, integrated circuits, and trade
secrets.
Patents. These are legal rights granted for new inventions
employing scientific and technical knowledge. Examples: A
new drug for the treatment of AIDS and a new cell phone.
Industrial Designs. A design is an idea or conception as to
the features of shape, configuration pattern, ornament of
composition of lines or colors applied to any article, two or
three-dimensional or both by any industrial process or
means which in the finished article appeals to and is judged
solely by the eye of product. Example: Design as applied to
shoes, TV, textiles.
Trade Marks. A trade mark is visual symbol in the form of a
world, service or label applied to an article of a manufacturer
or commerce with a view to indicating to the public the
origin of manufacture of the goods affixed with that mark. It
distinguishes such goods from others in the trade. Examples:
Coca Cola in soft drinks, SONY in electronic goods.
Copyrights
A copyright is basically the right to copy and make use of
literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works, cinematographic
films, records and broadcasts. It is a proprietary right and
comes into existence as soon as the work is created. The
concept had its origin in the common law. Subsequently, it
came to be governed by the statutory laws of each country.
Examples: poems, artistic drawings, paintings,
computer/programs.
Protection for New Plant Varieties. TRIPS provisions of
the WTO Agreement make it mandatory for member
countries to provide protection for new plant varieties.
Examples: New variety of rice / wheat.
Geographical Indications
Geographical indications identify goods as originating in the
territory of a country, an origin or a locality in that territory,
where a specific quality, reputations or other characteristics
of the goods is essentially attributed to their geographical
origin. Example: Darjeeling tea, Kancheepuram sari.
The legal rights secured for an intellectual property under
appropriate legislation can be enforced only within the
boundaries of the country which grants such rights. For
example, the rights secured by the grant of a patent in India
can be enforced only in India. In other words, there is
nothing like a world patent or an international patent.
Protection under IPR is considered essential for the
promotion of technological, industrial and economical
developments of a country as it provides incentives for the
inventions and ensures adequate returns on
commercialization of the invention.
Patents are in addition to securing exclusive legal rights for
the invention disclosed, and are useful for:
Advancing knowledge and bringing new knowledge
eventually into the public domain through the unique source
of information contained therein;
Identifying the trends;
Evaluating the strength of competitors;
Identifying unexplored areas for undertaking R&D so as to
become a leader in that area; and
Identifying unprotected areas to avoid infringement.

CHAPTER # 9
ISLAMIC CODE OF ETHICS FOR
ENGINEERS
9.1 FUNDAMENTALS OF ISLAMIC ETHICS
Islam gives a complete code of life and provides guidance
in all walks of life. It has given the concept of Haqooq-ul-Ibad i.e.
the duties which one owes to others and any violation of them is a
sin and only that particular affected person can pardon. Quran
provides broad framework of such ethics, which an engineer will
have to follow in his professional life, while Ahadees provides
detailed instructions. Some of these ethics are as under:
He had raised you in ranks, some above others, that He
may try you in the gifts He has given you, (Anam-165)___ A
engineer is a person who is socially and economically far
better than majority of the people and also enjoys
command, he should not think it as outcome of his own
capabilities, but gift of Allah, and he will be accountable for
it.
Whoever exceeds the limits, shall be in grave penalty.
(Baqara-178)
He rewards those who do Evil, according to their deeds and
He rewards those who do good, with what is best. (Shura-
31)
Who bear in mind the certainity that they are to meet their
Lord and they are to return to Him. (Baqara-46)___Thus
their all deeds shall be governed by the code of conduct
prescribed by Him.
9.2 CODE OF ETHICS / CONDUCT

He loves those who keep themselves pure and


clean. (Baqara)
Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good. (Baqara-
168)___ It means Halal earnings and eating.
And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal
the truth. (Baqara-42)
Conceal not evidence. (Baqara-283)
And those who, when an oppressive wrong is
inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and
defend themselves. They recompense for a injury
equal thereto (in degree), but if a person forgives
and makes reconciliations, his award is due from
Allah. (Shura-40)
And blame is only against those who oppress men
with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond
bounds through the land, defying rights and
justice. (Shura-42)
Not walk on earth with insolence: for thou canst
rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in
height. (Bani Israel-37)
Why say ye that which you do not. That yet say
that which you do not. (Saf-2&3)
Let not some men among you laugh at others: it
may be that the (latter) are better than you.. Nor
defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call
each other by (offensive) nickname. (Hujrat-11)
Avoid suspicion as much as possible: for suspicion
in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other,
nor speak ill of each other behind their back.
(Hujrat-12)
And do good to.. companions on your side,..
and what your right hand possess.(Nisaa-36) ___
i.e. it also includes your sub-ordinates.
Fulfill (all) obligations." (Maida-1)
Who restrain anger, and pardon (all men); for
Allah loves those who do good. (Al-i-Imran-16)
Stand out firmly on justice as witness to Allah,
even as against yourselves, or your parents, or
your kins; and whether it be (against) rich or
poor..if ye distort justice or decline to do justice.
(Nisaa-17)
Obey .. and those charged with authority among
you. If you differ in anything among yourselves,
refer it to Allah and His Apostle. (Nisaa-18)
Stand out firmly for Allah as witness to fair
dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you
make you swear to wrong and depart from justice.
Be just. (Maida-19)
And do not eat up your property among yourselves
for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with
intent that you may eat up wrongfully and
knowingly a little of (other) peoples
property.(Baqarah-283) ___ hence all type of illegal
gratification and confiscation of property, etc. is
prohibited.
Who show patience and constancy and work
righteousness. (Hud-8)
Who (conduct) their affairs by mutual
consultations. (Shura-38)
And consult them in affairs (of moment), then
when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in
Allah. (Al-i-Imran-159)
And when they are angry, even then
forgive.(Shura-37)
Give full measures when ye measure and weigh
with a balance that is straight. (Bani Israel-35)
And when ye judge between man and man, that
ye judge with justice. (Nisaa-58)
That if anyone slew a person ----- unless it be for
murder or for spreading mischief in the land ----- it
would be as if he slew the whole people: and if
anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the
life of the whole people. (Maida-35)

"And (always) say a word directed to the Right."


(Ahzaab-70)

"And pursue not that of which thou hast no


knowledge." (Bani Israel-36)

"Help ye one another in righteousness and piety,


but help not one another in sin and rancor
(aggression)." (Maida-3)
It is a sin if anyone fails to safeguard the rights of
two weak ones. (Nisai)
A ruler who having control of the affairs of the
Muslims, does not strive diligently for their
betterment and does not serve them sincerely, will
not enter paradise. (Muslim)
It is obligatory for a Muslim that he should listen
(to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not,
except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing, in
such case there is no obligation to listen or to obey.
(Agreed Upon)
Best amongst you is that whose behavior is the
best (Agreed upon)

CHAPTER # 10
CODE OF ETHICS FOR
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
10.1 CODE OF ETHICS OF PAKISTAN ENGINEERING
COUNCIL (PEC)

Whereas Allah enjoineth upon His men faithfully observe


their trusts and their convenience; that the practice and
profession of engineering is a sacred trust entrusted to those
whom Nature is its magnificent bounty has endowed with this skill
and knowledge ;that every member of the profession shall
appreciate and shall has knowledge as to what constitutes this
trust and covenant and that a set of dynamic principles derived
from the Holy Quran shall guide his conduct in applying his
knowledge for the benefit of society.

Now, therefore, the following Code of Ethics is


promulgated. It shall be incumbent upon the members of the
Pakistan Engineering Council to subscribe to it individually and
collectively to uphold the honor and dignity of the engineering
profession:

"Allah commands you to


render back your trust to
those to whom they are,
and that when you judge
between people, you judge
with justice. Allah
admonishes you with what
is excellent."
"Give full measure and
weight justly and defraud
not men of their things,
and act not corruptly in the
land, making mischief."
"And let not hatred of a
people incite you not to act
equitably, Be just; that is
nearer to observance of
duty."
"Fulfill the obligations"

"And swallow not up your


property among yourselves
by false means, nor seek to
gain access thereby to the
judges, so that you may
swallow up a part of the
property of men wrongfully
while you know."
"And speak straight
words."
"Avoid most of suspicion
for surely suspicion in
some cases is sin; and spy
not nor let some of you
backbite others."
"And follow not that of
which thou hast no
knowledge. Surely the
hearing and sight and
heart, of all these it will be
asked."
"And help one another in
righteousness and piety,
and help not one another
in sin and aggression, and
keep your duty to God."
"And whose affairs are
decided by counsel among
themselves."

CODE OF CONDUCT
Article 1
This Code of Conduct may be called the Pakistan Engineering
Council Code of Conduct.
This shall come into force at once.
This shall apply to all members of the Pakistan Engineering
Council.
Article 2
To maintain, uphold and advance the honor and dignity of
the engineering professional in accordance with this Code, a
member shall-
uphold the ideology of Pakistan;
be honest, impartial and serve the country, his employer,
clients and the public at large with devotion;
strive to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession; use his knowledge and skill for the
advancement and welfare of mankind;
promote and ensure the maximum utilization of human and
material resources of Pakistan for achieving self-reliance;
and not sacrifice the national interest for any personal gain.
not accept any other employment to the detriment of his
regular work or interest without the consent of his employer;
not attempt to attract an engineer from another employer by
false or misleading pretenses;
not restrain an employee from obtaining a better position
with another employer; and not endeavor to promote his
personal interest at the expense of the dignity and integrity
of the profession.
Article 3
A member shall be guided in all professional matters by the
highest standards of integrity and act as a faithful agent or a
trustee for each of his client and employer.
A member shall-
be realistic and honest in all estimates, reports, statements
and testimony and shall carry out his professional duties
without fear or favor;
admit and accept his own errors when proved and shall
refrain from distorting or altering the facts justifying his
decision or action;
advise his client or employer honestly about the viability of
the project entrusted to him;
Article 4
A member shall have utmost regard for the safety, health
and welfare of the public in the performance of his
professional duties and for that purpose he shall
regard his duty to the public welfare as paramount;
seek opportunities to be of service in civic affairs and work
for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of
the community;
not undertake, prepare, sign, approve or authenticate any
plan, design or specifications which are not safe for the
safety, health, welfare of a person or persons, or are not in
conformity with the accepted engineering standards and if
any client or an employer insists on such unprofessional
conduct, he shall notify the authorities concerned and
withdraw from further service on the project; and point out
the consequences to his client or the employer if his
engineering judgment is over-ruled by any non-technical
person
Article 5
A member shall avoid all acts or practices likely to discredit
the dignity or honor of the profession and for that purpose
he shall not advertise his professional services in a manner
derogatory to the dignity of the profession. He may,
however, utilize the following means of identification:
professional cards and listing in recognized and dignified
publications and classified section of the telephone
directories,
Sign boards at the site of his office or projects for which he
renders services; and brochures, business cards, letter-heads
and other factual representations of experience, facilities,
personnel and capacity to render services.
A member may write articles for recognized publications but
such articles should be dignified, free form ostentations or
laudatory implications, based on factual conclusions and
should not imply other than his direct participation in the
work described unless credit is given to others for their share
of the work.
A member shall not allow himself to be listed for
employment using exaggerated statements of his
qualifications.
Article 6
A member shall endeavor to extend public knowledge and
appreciation of engineering profession, propagate the
achievements of the profession and protect it from
misrepresentation and misunderstanding.
Article 7
A member shall express an opinion of an engineering subject
only when founded on adequate knowledge, experience and
honest conviction.
Article 8
A member shall undertake engineering assignments only
when he possesses adequate qualifications, training and
experience. He shall engage or advise for engaging of the
experts and specialists whenever the client's or employers'
interest are best served by such service.
A member shall not discourage the necessity of other
appropriate engineering services, designs, plans or
specifications or limit-free competition by specifying
materials of particular make or model.
Article 9
A member shall not disclose confidential information
concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any
present or former client or employer without his consent.
Article 10
A member shall uphold the principles of appropriate and
adequate compensation for those engaged in engineering
work and for that purpose he shall not-
undertake or agree to perform any engineering service free
except for civic, charitable, religious, or non-profit
organizations or institutions;
undertake professional engineering work at a remuneration
below the accepted standards of the profession in the
discipline;
And accept remuneration from either an employee or
employment agency for giving employment.
A member shall offer remuneration commensuration with the
qualifications and experience of an engineer employed by
him.
A member working in any sales section or department shall
not offer or give engineering consultation, or designs, or
advice other than specifically applying to the equipment
being sold in that section or department.
Article 11
A member shall not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party for the same service, or
for services pertaining to the same work unless all interested
parties give their consent to such compensation.
A member shall not accept:-
financial or other considerations, including free engineering
design, from material or equipment suppliers for specifying
their products; and commissions or allowances, directly or
indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with his
clients or employer in connection with work for which he is
professionally responsible.
Article 12
A member shall not compete unfairly with another member
or engineer by attempting to obtain employment,
professional engagements or personal gains by taking
advantage of his superior position or by criticizing other
engineers or by any other improper means or methods.
An engineer shall not attempt to supplant another engineer
in a particular employment after becoming aware that
definite steps have been taken towards other's employment.
A member shall not accept part-time engineering work at a
fee or remuneration less than that of the recognized
standard for a similar work and without the consent of his
employer if he is already in another employment.
A member shall not utilize equipment, supplies, and
laboratory or office facilities of his employer or client for the
purpose of private practice without his consent.
Article 13

A member shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely,


directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects,
practices or employment of another engineer or member.

A member engaged in private practice shall not review the


work of another engineer for the same client, except with
knowledge of such engineer or, unless the connection of
such engineer with work has been terminated;

Provided that a member shall be entitled to review and


evaluate the work of other engineers when so required by
his employment duties. A member employed in any sales or
industrial concern shall be entitled to make engineering
comparisons of his products with products of other suppliers.

Article 14

A member shall not associate with or allow the use of his


name by an enterprise of questionable character nor will he
become professionally associated with engineers who do not
conform to ethical practices or with persons not legally
qualified to tender the professional service for which the
association is intended.
A member shall strictly comply with the bye-laws, orders and
instructions issued by the Pakistan Engineering Council from
time to time in professional practice and shall not use the
association with a non-engineering corporation, or
partnership as a cloak for any unethical act or acts.

Article 15
A member shall give credit for engineering work to those to
whom credit is due, recognize the proprietary interests of
others and disclose the name of a person or persons who
may be responsible for his designs, inventions,
specifications, writings, or other accomplishments.
When a member uses designs, plans, specifications, data
and notes supplied to him by a client or an employer or are
prepared by him in reference to such client or the employer's
work such designs, plans, specifications, data and notes shall
remain the property of the client and shall not be duplicated
by a member for any use without the express permission of
the client.
Before undertaking any work on behalf of a person or
persons for making improvements, plans, designs, inventions
or specifications which may justify copyright or patent, a
member shall get ownership of such improvements, plans,
designs, inventions or specifications determined for the
purpose of registration under the relevant copyright and
patent laws.
Article 16
A member shall disseminate professional knowledge by
interchanging information and experience with other
members or engineers and students to provide them
opportunity for the professional development and
advancement of engineers under his supervision.
A member shall encourage his engineering employees to
improve their knowledge, attend and present papers at
professional meetings and provide a prospective engineering
employee with complete information on working conditions
and his proposed status of employment and after
employment keep him informed of any change in such
conditions.
Article 17
A member employed abroad shall order his conduct
according to this Code, so far as this is applicable, and the
laws and regulations of the country of his employment.
Article 18
A member shall report unethical professional practices of an
engineer or a member with substantiating data to the
Pakistan Engineering Council and appear as a witness, if
required.

10.2 NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS


(NSPE)
In 1954 The National Society of Professional Engineers
(NSPE) adopted the following statement, known as the Engineers
Creed:
As a professional engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge
and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare. I
pledge:
To give the utmost of performance.
To participate in none but honest enterprise.
To live and work according to the laws of man and the
highest standards of professional conduct.
To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the
profession before personal advantage and the public welfare
above all other considerations.
In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this
pledge.
In 1977, a similar statement was approved by the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as
follows:
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and
dignity of the engineering profession by:
I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of
human welfare;
II. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the
public, their employees;
III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession and supporting the professional and
technical societies of their disciplines.
ethika in Greek means character
Engineering ethics is concerned with the personal conduct
of engineers as they uphold and advance the integrity, honor and
dignity of engineering while practicing their profession.

This conduct of behavior has obligations to


1. Self,
2. Employer and/or client
3. Colleagues and co-workers
4. Public
5. Environment
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As
members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the
highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a
direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people.
Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty,
impartiality, fairness and equity and must be dedicated to the
protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Engineers
must perform under a standard of professional behavior that
requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.
I. FUNDAMENTAL CANONS
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties,
shall;
1. Hold paramount of the safety, health and welfare of the
public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trusties.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation and
usefulness of the profession.
II. RULES OF PRACTCE
1. Engineers shall hold paramount of the safety, health and
welfare of the public.
a) If engineers judgment is overruled under
circumstances that endanger life of property, they shall
notify their employer or client and such other authority
as may be appropriate.
b) Engineers should approve only those engineering
documents that are in conformity with applicable
standards.
c) Engineers shall not reveal facts, data or information
without the prior consent of the client or employer
except authorized or required by law or this Code.
d) Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or
associate in business ventures with any person or firm
that they believe are engaged in fraudulent or
dishonest enterprise.
e) Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of
this Code shall report thereon to appropriate
professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public
authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in
furnishing such information or assistance as may be
required.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their
competence
a) Engineers shall undertake assignments only when
qualified by education or experience in the specific
technical fields involved.
b) Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or
documents dealing with subject matter in which they
lack competence or to any plan or document not
prepared under their direction and control.
c) Engineers may accept assignments and assume
responsibility for coordination of an entire project and
sign and seal the engineering documents for the entire
project, provided that each technical segment is signed
and sealed only by the qualified engineers who
prepared the segment.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective
and truthful manner.
a) Engineers may express publicly technical options that
are founded upon knowledge of the facts and
competence in the subject matter.
b) Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms or
arguments on technical matters that are inspired or
paid for by interested parties, unless they have
prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying the
interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking
and by revealing the existence of any interest the
engineers may have in the matters.
c) Engineers should be objective and truthful in
professional reports, statements and testimony. They
shall include all relevant and pertinent information in
such reports, statements or testimony, which should
bear the date indicating when it was current.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees.
a) Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts
of interest that could influence or appear to influence
their judgment or the quality of their services.
b) Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party for services on the
same project, or for services pertaining to the same
project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed
and agreed to by all interested parties.
c) Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other
valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, from
outside agents in connection with the work for which
they are responsible.
d) Engineers in public service as members, advisors or
employees of a governmental or quasi-governmental
body or department shall not participate in decisions
with respect to services solicited or provided by them or
their organizations in private or public engineering
practice.
e) Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a
governmental body on which a principle or officer of
their organization serves as a member.
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.
a) Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit
misrepresentation of their or their associates
qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or
exaggerate their responsibility in or for the subject
matter of prior assignments, brochures or other
presentations incident to the solicitation of employment
shall not misrepresent pertinent facts concerning
employers, employees, associates, joint ventures or
past accomplishments.
b) Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit or receive either
directly or indirectly any contribution to influence the
award of a contract by public authority or which may be
reasonably construed by the public as having the effect
of intent to influencing the awarding of a contract. They
shall not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in
order to secure work. They shall not pay a commission,
percentage or brokerage fee in order to secure work,
except to a bona fide employee or bona fide
established commercial or marketing agencies retained
by them.

II. PROFESSONAL OBLGATONS


1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the
highest standards of honesty and integrity.
a) Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall
not distort or alter the facts.
b) Engineers shall advice their clients or employers
when they believe a project will not be successful.
c) Engineers shall not accept outside employment to
the detriment of their regular work or interest.
Before accepting any outside engineering
employment they will notify their employers.
d) Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer
from another employer by false or misleading
pretenses.
e) Engineers shall not actively participate in strikes,
picket lines or other collective coercive action.
f) Engineers shall not promote their own interest at
the expense of the dignity and integrity of the
profession.
2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public
interest.
a) Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in
civic affairs , career guidance for youths and works
for the advancement of the safety, health and
well-being of their community.
b) Engineers shall not complete, sign or seal plans
and/or specifications that are not in conformity
with applicable engineering standards. If the client
or employer insists on such unprofessional
conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities
and with draw from further service on the project.
c) Engineers shall endeavor to extend public
knowledge and appreciation of engineering and its
achievements.
3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice which is
likely to discredit the profession or deceive the public.
a) Engineers shall avoid the use of statements
containing a material misrepresentation of fact or
omitting a material fact.
b) Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may
advertise for recruitment of personnel.
c) Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may
prepare articles for the lay or technical press, but
such articles shall not imply credit to the author
for work performed by others.
4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent,
confidential information concerning the business affairs
or technical processes of any present or former client or
employer, or public body on which they serve.
a) Engineers shall not, without the consent of all
interested parties, promote or arrange for new
employment or practice in connection with a
specific project for which the engineer has gained
particular and specialized knowledge.
b) Engineers shall not, without the consent of all
interested parties, participate in or represent an
adversary interest in connection with a specific
project or proceeding in which the engineer has
gained particular specialized knowledge on behalf
of a former client or employer.
5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional
duties by conflicting interests.
a) Engineers shall not accept or other considerations,
including free engineering designs, from material
or equipment suppliers for specifying their project.
b) Engineers shall not accept commissions or
allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors
or other parties dealing with clients or employers
of the engineer in connection with work for which
the engineer is responsible.
6. Engineer shall uphold the principle of appropriate and
adequate compensation for those engaged in
engineering work.
a) Engineer shall not accept remuneration from
either an employee or employment agency for
giving employment.
b) Engineers, when employing other engineers, shall
offer a salary according to professional
qualifications.
7. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or
advancement or professional agreements by
untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other
improper questionable methods.
a) Engineers shall not request, propose or accept a
commission on a contingent basis under
circumstances in which their judgment may be
compromised.
b) Engineers in salaried positions shall accept part-
time engineering work only to the extent
consistent with policies of the employer and in
accordance with ethical considerations.
c) Engineers shall not, without consent, use
equipment, supplies, laboratory or office facilities
of an employer to carry on outside private
practice.
8. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or
falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or employment of other
engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of
unethical or illegal practice shall present such
information to the proper authority for action
a) Engineers in private practice shall not review the
work of another engineer for the same client,
except with the knowledge of such engineer, or
unless the connection of such engineer with the
work has been terminated.
b) Engineers in governmental, industrial or
educational employ are entitled to review and
evaluate the work of other engineers when so
required by their employment duties.
c) Engineers in sales or industrial employ are entitled
to make engineering comparisons of represented
products with products of other suppliers.
9. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their
professional activities, provided, however, that
engineers may seek indemnification for services arising
out of their practice for other than gross negligence,
where the engineers interests cannot otherwise be
protected.
a) Engineers shall conform with state registration
laws in the practice of engineering.
b) Engineers shall not use association with a non
engineer, a corporation, or as a cloak for unethical
acts.
10. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to
those to whom credit is due, and will recognize the
proprietary interests of others.
a) Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the
person or persons who may be individually
responsible for designs, inventions, writings or
other accomplishments.
b) Engineers using designs supplied by a client
recognize that the designs remain the property of
the client and may not be duplicated by the
engineer for others without express permission.
c) Engineers, before undertaking work for others in
connection with which the engineer may make
improvements, plans, designs, inventions or other
records that may justify copyrights or patents,
should enter into a positive agreement regarding
ownership.
d) Engineers design, data, records and notes
referring exclusively to an employers work are the
employers property. Employer should indemnify
the engineer for use of the information for use of
the information for any purpose other than the
original purpose.
11. Engineers shall cooperate in extending the
effectiveness of the profession by interchanging
information and experience with other engineers and
students, and will endeavor to provide opportunity for
the professional development and advancement of
engineers under their supervision.
a) Engineers shall encourage engineering employees
efforts to improve their education.
b) Engineers shall encourage engineering employees
to attend and present papers at professional and
technical society meetings.
c) Engineers shall urge engineering employees to
become registered at the earliest possible date.
d) Engineers shall assign a professional engineer
duties of a nature to utilize full training and
experience, in so far as possible, and delegate
lesser functions to sub-professionals or to
technicians.
e) Engineers shall provide a prospective engineering
employee with complete information on working
conditions and proposed status of employment,
and after employment will keep employees
informed of any changes.
10.3 AMERICAN SOCIETY MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
(ASME)
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and
dignity of the Engineering profession by:
I. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of
human welfare;
II. being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the
public, their employers and clients, and
III. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession.
THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare
of the public in the performance of their professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their
competence.
3. Engineers shall continue their professional development
throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the
professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer
or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts
of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputations on the merit
of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or
organizations.
7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner.
8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact and sustainable
development in the performance of their professional duties.
9. Engineers shall not seek ethical sanction against another
engineer unless there is good reason to do so under the
relevant codes, policies and procedures governing that
engineers ethical conduct.
10. Engineers who are members of the Society shall
endeavor to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws and Policies of
the Society, and they shall disclose knowledge of any matter
involving another members alleged violation of this Code of
Ethics or the Societys Conflicts of Interest Policy in a prompt,
complete and truthful manner to the chair of the Committee on
Ethical Standards and Review.
.
THE ASME CRITERIA FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE CANONS
The ASME criteria for interpretation of the Canons are
guidelines and represent the objectives toward which members of
the engineering profession should strive. They are principles
which an engineer can reference in specific situations. In addition,
they provide interpretive guidance to the ASME Committee on
Ethical Standards and Review on the Code of Ethics of Engineers.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public in the performance of their professional
duties.
a. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and
welfare of the general public are dependent upon engineering
judgments, decisions and practices incorporated into structures,
machines, products, processes and devices.
b. Engineers shall not approve or seal plans and/or specifications
that are not of a design safe to the public health and welfare and
in conformity with accepted engineering standards.
c. Whenever the Engineers' professional judgments are over-
ruled under circumstances where the safety, health, and welfare
of the public are endangered, the Engineers shall inform their
client and/or employers of the possible consequences.
(1) Engineers shall endeavor to provide data such as published
standards, test codes, and quality control procedures that will
enable the users to understand safe use during life expectancy
associated with the designs, products, or systems for which they
are responsible.
(2) Engineers shall conduct reviews of the safety and reliability
of the designs, products, or systems for which they are
responsible before giving their approval to the plans for the
design.
(3) Whenever Engineers observe conditions, directly related to
their employment, which they believe will endanger public safety
or health, they shall inform the proper authority of the situation.
d. If engineers have knowledge of or reason to believe that
another person or firm may be in violation of any of the provisions
of these Canons, they shall present such information to the proper
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority
in furnishing such further information or assistance as may be
required.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their
competence.
a. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering
assignments only when qualified by education and/or experience
in the specific technical field of engineering involved.
b. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education
and/or experience outside of their own fields of competence, but
their services shall be restricted to other phases of the project in
which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be
performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees.

3. Engineers shall continue their professional development


throughout their careers, and should provide opportunities for the
professional and ethical development of those engineers under
their supervision.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer
or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of
interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
a. Engineers shall avoid all known conflicts of interest with their
employers or clients and shall promptly inform their employers or
clients of any business association, interests, or circumstances
which could influence their judgment or the quality of their
services.
b. Engineers shall not undertake any assignments which would
knowingly create a potential conflict of interest between
themselves and their clients or their employers.
c. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party for services on the same
project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the
circumstances are fully disclosed to, and agreed to, by all
Interested parties.
d. Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable
considerations, for specifying products or material or equipment
suppliers, without disclosure to their clients or employers.
e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or
indirectly, from
contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with their
clients or employers in connection with work for which they are
responsible. Where official public policy or employers' policies
tolerate acceptance of modest gratuities or gifts, engineers shall
avoid a conflict of interest by complying with appropriate policies
and shall avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
f. When in public service as members, advisors, or employees of
a governmental body or department, Engineers shall not
participate in considerations or actions with respect to services
provided by them or their organization(s) in private or product
engineering practice.
g. Engineers shall not solicit an engineering contract from a
governmental body or other entity on which a principal, officer, or
employee of their organization serves as a member without
disclosing their relationship and removing themselves from any
activity of the body which concerns their organization.
h. Engineers working on codes, standards or governmental
sanctioned rules and
specifications shall exercise careful judgment in their
determinations to ensure a
balanced viewpoint, and avoid a conflict of interest.
i. When, as a result of their studies, Engineers believe a
project(s) will not be
successful, they shall so advise their employer or client.
j. Engineers shall treat information coming to them in the course
of their assignments as confidential, and shall not use such
information as a means of making personal profit if such action is
adverse to the interests of their clients, their employers or the
public.
(1) They will not disclose confidential information concerning the
business
affairs or technical processes of any present or former employer
or client or
bidder under evaluation, without his/her consent, unless required
by law or
court order.
(2) They shall not reveal confidential information or finding of any
commission or board of which they are members unless required
by law or
court order.
(3) Designs supplied to Engineers by clients shall not be
duplicated by the
Engineers for others without the express permission of the
client(s).
k. Engineers shall act with fairness and justice to all parties when
administering a
construction (or other) contract.
l. Before undertaking work for others in which Engineers may
make improvements, plans, designs, inventions, or other records
which may justify seeking copyrights, patents, or proprietary
rights, Engineers shall enter into positive agreements regarding
the rights of respective parties.
m. Engineers shall admit their own errors when proven wrong and
refrain from
distorting or altering the facts to justify their mistakes or
decisions.
n. Engineers shall not accept professional employment or
assignments outside of their regular work without the knowledge
of their employers.
o. Engineers shall not attempt to attract an employee from other
employers or from the market place by false or misleading
representations.

5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit


of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
a. Engineers shall negotiate contracts for professional services on
the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of
professional service
required.
b. Engineers shall not request, propose, or accept professional
commissions on a
contingent basis if, under the circumstances, their professional
judgments may be
compromised.
c. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their,
or their associates, academic or professional qualification. They
shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their degrees of
responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior assignments.
Brochures or other presentations used to solicit personal
employment shall not misrepresent pertinent facts concerning
employers, employees, associates, joint ventures, or their
accomplishments.
d. Engineers shall prepare articles for the lay or technical press
which are only factual.
1) Technical Communications for publication (theses, articles,
papers, reports,
etc.) which are based on research involving more than one indiv
idual
(including students and supervising faculty, industrial
supervisor/researcher or
other co-workers) must recognize all significant contributors. Co-
authors
listed on proposed and accepted publications should have entered
the joint
authorship arrangement by mutual consent prior to submittal of
the document
for publication and should have received written permission to
use any
unpublished work of others which serves as the major basis or key
component
of the publication.
2) Technical Communications should adhere to clearly defined and
appropriately
disseminated guidelines on authorship. These guidelines should
be promulgated and publicized in corporate, university or other
employer policies
and should take cognizance of professional technical society
recommendations
on ethical practice.
3) Plagiarism, the act of substantially using another's ideas or
written materials
without due credit, is unethical.
e. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly,
injure the
professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of
another engineer, nor shall they indiscriminately criticize
another's work.
f. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory or
office facilities of their employers to carry on outside private
practice without consent.

6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or


organizations.
a. Engineers shall not knowingly associate with or permit the use
of their names or firm names in business ventures by any person
or firm which they know, or have reason to believe, are engaging
in business or professional practices of a fraudulent or dishonest
nature.
b. Engineers shall not use association with non-engineers,
corporations, or partnerships to disguise unethical acts.

7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective


and truthful manner.
a. Engineers shall endeavor to extend public knowledge, and to
prevent
misunderstandings of the achievements of engineering.
b. Engineers shall be completely objective and truthful in all
professional reports,
statements or testimony. They shall include all relevant and
pertinent information in such reports, statements or testimony.
c. Engineers, when serving as expert or technical witnesses
before any court,
commission, or other tribunal, shall express an engineering
opinion only when it is
founded on their adequate knowledge of the facts in issue, their
background of
technical competence in the subject matter, and their belief in the
accuracy and
propriety of their testimony.
d. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments
on engineering matters which are inspired or paid for by an
interested party, or parties, unless they preface their comments
by identifying themselves, by disclosing the identities of the party
or parties on whose behalf they are speaking, and by revealing
the existence of any financial interest they may have in matters
under discussion.
e. Engineers shall be truthful in explaining their work and merit,
and shall avoid any act tending to promote their own interest at
the expense of the integrity and honor of the profession or
another individual.

8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the


performance of their professional duties.
a. Engineers shall concern themselves with the impact of their
plans and designs on the environment. When the impact is a clear
threat to health or safety of the public, then the guidelines for this
Canon revert to those of Canon 1.

9. Engineers shall consider sustainable development in the


performance of their professional duties.
a. Engineers shall consider development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. When the impact of the
trade-off between economic, ecological, and social issues forms a
clear threat to health or safety of the public, then the guidelines
for this Canon revert to those of Canon 1.

10. Engineers accepting membership in The American Society of


Mechanical Engineers by this action agree to abide by this Society
Policy on Ethics and procedures for its implementation.

10.4 INSTITUTE OF ECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS


ENGINEERS (IEEE)
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the
importance of our technologies in affecting the quality of life
throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to
our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do
hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional
conduct and agree:
1. to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions
consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public,
and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the
public or the environment;
2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever
possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they
do exist;
3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates
based on available data;
4. to reject bribery in all its forms;
5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate
application, and potential consequences;
6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to
undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by
training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations;
7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work,
to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the
contributions of others;
8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race,
religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin;
9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or
employment by false or malicious action;
10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional
development and to support them in following this code of
ethics.
10.5 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (ASCE)
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and
dignity of the engineering profession by:
Using their skill and knowledge for the enhancement of
human welfare:
Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the
public, their employers and clients;
Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession; and supporting the professional and
technical societies of their disciplines.
Fundamental Canons
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public in the performance of their professional
duties.
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their
competence.
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective
and truthful manner.
Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer
or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid
conflicts of interest.
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the
merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with
others.
Engineers shall act in a manner as to uphold and enhance
the honor, integrity and dignity of the engineering
profession.
Engineers shall continue their professional development
throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for
the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.

10.6 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL


ENGINEERS (AICHE)
Members of American Institute of Chemical
Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity, honor and
dignity of the engineering profession by:
Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the
public, their employers and clients and the public; striving to
increase the competence and prestige of the engineering
profession; using their skill and knowledge for the enhancement
of human welfare. To achieve these goals, members shall:
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public
in the performance of their professional duties.
Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider
further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a
consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present
or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.
Accept responsibility for their actions, seek and heed critical
review of their work, and offer objective criticism of the work
of others.
Issue statements or present information only in an objective
and truthful manner.
Act in professional matters for each employer or client as
faithful agents or trustees, avoiding conflicts of interest and
never breaching confidentiality.
Treat fairly and respectfully all colleagues and co-workers,
recognizing their unique contributions and capabilities.
Perform professional services only in areas of their
competence.
Build their professional reputations on the merits of their
services.
Continue their professional development throughout their
careers, and provide opportunities for the professional
development of those under their supervision.
Never tolerate harassment.
Conduct themselves in a fair, honorable and respectful manner.

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