China's first systematic deployment of scientific and technological ethics governance work -
guiding science and technology to be good and regulating scientific and technological innovation
by our reporter She Huimin
Science and technology ethics are the values and behavioral norms that need to be followed in scientific research, technology development and other scientific and technological activities, and are an important guarantee for promoting the healthy development of scientific and technological undertakings.
Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Ethical Governance of Science and Technology".
What is the background and significance of the "Opinions"?
What changes will it bring to my country's scientific and technological ethics governance?
On the relevant issues, the heads of relevant ministries and experts made interpretations.
"The new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is profoundly changing the face and pattern of world development. It not only allows us to witness the power of science and technology to transform the world, but also sees the risks and even disasters that the improper use of science and technology may bring to human beings." Ministry of Science and Technology Vice Minister Xiang Libin introduced that my country's science and technology ethics governance work generally started late, and the existing problems are still relatively prominent.
With the rapid development of scientific and technological innovation, the challenges of scientific and technological ethics are increasing day by day.
"The "Opinions" is the first systematic deployment of my country's scientific and technological ethics governance work, which is of great guiding significance and helps to promote the unification of ideas and consensus in the scientific and technological circles and the whole society." Xiang Libin said that the "Opinions" are outstanding in four aspects. The first is to clarify the principles of science and technology ethics that should be followed in scientific and technological activities, and to demonstrate the position and attitude to strengthen the governance of science and technology ethics; Responsibilities in governance are clearly divided; thirdly, top-level design is made for the institutional construction of scientific and technological ethics governance from different levels; fourthly, measures for scientific and technological ethics review and supervision are systematically proposed, and efforts are made to strengthen scientific and technological ethics risk early warning and prevention and control.
The "Opinions" clarified that the development of scientific and technological activities should follow five scientific and technological ethics principles: enhancing human well-being, respecting the right to life, adhering to fairness and impartiality, reasonably controlling risks, and maintaining openness and transparency.
Zhai Xiaomei, a member of the National Science and Technology Ethics Committee, believes that the promotion of human well-being is the primary principle of science and technology ethics, indicating that improving human well-being is the driving force behind the development of science and technology; respect for the right to life includes respect for the right to life and human dignity; It is to respect differences and prevent discrimination and prejudice; to control risks reasonably means to treat cutting-edge emerging technologies with a forward-looking, responsible and prudent position, especially when highly controversial technologies that may have a significant impact on the existence of human beings will be adopted. This is especially true when it is widely used; maintain openness and transparency, modern science and technology are closely related to the entire society and the public, and an open and transparent way can place all research and development work under public scrutiny.
"The principles of science and technology ethics are the principles that the scientific community should abide by. The five principles of science and technology ethics proposed in the document are consistent with the principles of the entire international community and the international scientific community. This is the basis for our dialogue with international counterparts. It is also very necessary." Zhai Xiaomei said.
The "Opinions" proposed to study and formulate a "list of high-risk scientific and technological activities in science and technology ethics".
Which tech events are on this list?
"The list research has been deployed, and medicine, life sciences and artificial intelligence are the key areas." Dai Guoqing, director of the Department of Science and Technology Supervision and Integrity Construction of the Ministry of Science and Technology, revealed that three sub-committees of the National Science and Technology Ethics Committee are studying and drafting related fields of science and technology. A list of ethically high-risk scientific and technological activities is expected to be released within the year.
The "Opinions" put forward the governance requirement of "ethics first". What does this mean?
"In layman's terms, scientific research units and scientific and technological personnel can neither 'do it again', give up ethical requirements for innovation, nor generalize ethical issues. Scientific research units and scientific and technological personnel should take the initiative to carry out scientific and technological ethics before carrying out scientific and technological activities. Risk assessment." said Feng Chujian, deputy director of the Science and Technology Supervision and Integrity Construction Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The medical field is a key field of scientific and technological ethics risk. What work has my country done to prevent risks?
"Medical research ethics is an important aspect of science and technology ethics, and it is also the forerunner of science and technology ethics." Gu Jinhui, deputy director of the Department of Science and Education of the National Health Commission, introduced that the medical and health system took the lead in establishing an ethics review system and supervision system.
In 2007, the former Ministry of Health issued the "Measures for Ethical Review of Biomedical Research Involving Humans (Trial)", which was officially upgraded to departmental regulations after revision in 2016.
The "Administrative Measures for Medical and Health Institutions to Conduct Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research" has been formulated and piloted in four provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hainan, and the institutional system for protecting the rights and interests of subjects has been further improved.
Our reporter She Huimin