Chemical Ethics

The following three texts are the best representatives of three types of literature on chemical research ethics: a primer for professional behavior, a standardized set of guidelines and recommendations for ethical practice, and a handbook for ethics instructors.

Committee on Science, Engineering, And Public Policy.  On Being A Scientist: Responsible Conduct In Research.  National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.  Washington, D.C.:  National Academy Press, 1995. <http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/obas/>. 

This is the most often cited book for ethics in chemistry. It is a book which every chemist (both student and professional) should read and which every major library should own.  It is available for $5 from the NAS (discounts given when more than 10 copies are bought at once) or for free at the website.

National Academy of Sciences.  Responsible Science:  Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process.  Vols. I and II.  Washington, D.C.:  National Academy Press, 1992. 

This is the report of the Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Research, first convened in 1989 to study and make recommendations regarding ethical research practices. 

Stern, Judy E. and Deni Elliott.  The Ethics of Scientific Research: A Guidebook for Course Development.  Hanover, NH:  University Press of New England, 1997.

"This guidebook for instructors details experiences in training faculty and in planning, teaching, and evaluating a course in ethics for students of science" at Dartmouth College. Stern and Elliott also edited Research Ethics: A Reader (see Case Studies).