Should One Start or Continue a Line of Research? Stakeholders' Interests and Ethical Frameworks Give Different Answers

Abstract

Society often turns to scientists to decide what research should be done, but the author has observed that scientists bring different interests and ethical frameworks to this decision than do other societal stakeholders. These differences are described. When there are public policy arguments about whether to start or maintain a line of public interest research, it is important to make explicit the interests and assumptions of the various stakeholders, including the scientists, and to let this information inform the public policy discussion.