Standards of Conducts for Biostatisticians and Stem Cell Researchers: A Call for Self-formulated Aspirational Ethics Over Built-in Prohibitive Ethics

• Published in: Science and engineering ethics Vol. 28; no. 2; p. 15
• Main Authors: Sato, Keiko, Suzuki, Mika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Education; Engineering; Ethical standards; Ethics; Ethics, Professional; Medicine/Public Health; Motivation; Original Research/Scholarship; Philosophy; Philosophy of Science; Stem Cells; Stem cell researcher; Standard of conduct; Virtue ethics; Research governance; Aspirational ethics; Biostatistician
• ISSN: 1353-3452; 1471-5546
• DOI: 10.1007/s11948-022-00366-5

We proposed the Standards of Conducts to provide a general framework that will serve as the basis for guiding each biostatistician and stem cell researcher to formulate their personal standards, rather than as rules with which they are required to comply. Given the responsibility and characteristics of their work, they are expected to maintain independence and work autonomously as professionals. Each of the Standards of Conducts comprises a preamble, mission and values to uphold, Standards of Conducts (10 items), and background. When one internalizes “self-formulated” standards, to make excuses for oneself would be akin to a self-betrayal; responsible actions can be anticipated. If one begins and continues to consider “who I am and what do I work for,” this will become their inner energy, and a source of motivation and pride to inspire oneself. In addition, this aspirational style might help citizens to recognize the autonomous stance of the professional body and that they share the same values.