Ethics in IT

PART – A
ETHICAL DILEMMAS & APPLICABLE THEORIES
Our World is seeking rapid growth in the field of technology and science and such technologies
have been used in almost every field. As we have entered into the 4th Industrial Revolution, usage
of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics have emerged in a positive manner (O'Sullivan, et. al.
2019). But the same is associated with many ethical issues in different filed of usage (Guan,
2019). As per the given factual matrix, it is evident that Robotics is proven to be successful in
treating people with server disease in the United Kingdom. But especially in the field of health
care, some extra standards have to be complied with while using such technologies. Similarly,
the IT professionals also have to maintain some moral codes and work in consonance with the
same to avoid any hazardous results of using such advanced technologies.
Many scholars have propounded different theories to categories the actions of humans as moral
and immoral. The first theory which we take into the analysis is "Virtue Theory,” propounded by
Aristotle. He averted that an ideal person must show some characteristics like honesty,
generosity, braveness, and kindness. These characteristics of an ideal person are considered as a
guide to make the right choices and perform the acts which are accepted by society. By applying
the same on given factual circumstances, it is noteworthy that professionals using such
technology in the operation of the person would not stand in violation of any ethics. This
particular technology has only caused damage to one person, but on the same hand have helped a
large number of people, who have experienced better treatment from the same technology. This
technology has from all aspects have proved to be beneficial for humans and the professionals
using such technology possess some kind of characters which are attributes of an ideal person.
The second theory which suggests the positive impact of such technological advancement and
justifies the ethics in bringing these technologies in healthcare is social contract theory. Social
contract theory, suggests that such an intersection of such technologies in healthcare is consistent
with the agreement as referred to in this theory. The liability of professionals using such
technology in healthcare is only available to the extent of situations which are foreseeable.
Circumstances which are beyond the control of these professionals in the ordinary course while
taking all reasonable measures cannot attract the liabilities of these professionals. This social
contract theory develops with the corridors of time. These new technological advancements are
associated with some risks in the initial stage. But just because they have some risks, greater
benefits of the same cannot be ignored. These technologies will develop with time, and even the
result of the same varies from case to case. In the present era, social agreements were made for
the enhancement of society. Similarly, the IT sector is also working on improving the experience
of society in almost every area. Thus, such practices in healthcare, do not show ethical dilemmas
in such usage of technologies in the healthcare sector.
Utilitarian theory is the next one in the discussion, mainly related to morals in society. Kant has
propounded this theory and suggests that everything in society is right if done with the intention
of fulfilling the interest of the public at large (Marseille & Kahn, 2019). By proper application of
this theory on present factual situation leads to justifying the actions of professionals. Using such
robotics in the healthcare sector would eventually lead to the betterment of people who have
been treated by such technology. The case study provides pieces of evidence of successful
operations by using such technology and shows its accuracy in the majority of people with more
perfection as compared to operations conducted by surgeons. The chances of failure of surgeries
were present even in cases of operations done by surgeons. Hence, these technologies were
providing more accuracy and benefit for society. As the theory suggests that acts are for the
betterment of society have one criticism. The critiques of this theory suggest that if the act has
greater interest or benefit for the society, then on the same line they are considered as uncertain.
Such uncertainty could lead to some problems which could be faced by some individuals.
Lastly, the Deontology theory is propounded by Immanuel Kant is also related to morals in
society. It suggests that rights are those morals that are universally accepted by society. Our
world has formulated some prescribed norms on the basis of which rights and wrongs in society
are distinguished. Therefore, things that are wrong in society was based on the inner conscience
and prescribed norms of the world. The act of professionals using such technology in operation
stands in consonance with the norms as well as with this theory. Injuries were suffered by the
patient only due to some unavoidable circumstances which could not lead to prohibiting such
usage of technologies in healthcare.
In summing up, it is suggested that in view of all the theories and ethical dilemmas, professionals
have acted in consonance with all the norms and morally also have not done anything wrong.
The patient has suffered injuries during his operation for which he can be compensated but
prohibiting or restraining using if such technologies in the healthcare sector would not be
considered as justified.
PART – B
THE ACS CODE
This code is envisaged with ethical principles for professionals in the information technology
sector. This code provides six values with which professionals have to strictly adhere. The act of
IT professional who developed the robots for performing surgeries in the healthcare sectors has
worked in compliance with the first principle of this ACS code. This first principle suggests that
professionals must work for the interest of the public at large instead of giving preference to their
own personal gain. In the present situation also, IT professionals have developed such robots
with good faith and intention to provide accuracy in surgeries for enhancing the experience of
the people going through such surgeries.
Professionals in any organization need to work with dignity and honesty to ensure the betterment
of the individuals who interact with the professionals of different industries. Professionals are not
able to foresee the situation which could lead to injuries to the patient in the present
circumstance. And it is evident from the cases that surgeries conducted by humans were also not
able to be performed with accuracy. Such accuracy cannot be anticipated in any circumstance.
ACS has provided some principles based on professionalism. By applying the same principles,
on the present facts professionals indulge in the operations have not performed any wrong. There
exist no ethical dilemmas from the ACS perspective. Thus, the liability of such professionals
from ACS could not arise as in healthcare sector surgeries could not be performed with accuracy
and without any chances of failure.
REFERENCES
Guan, J. (2019). Artificial Intelligence Healthcare and Medicines: Promises, Ethical Challenges,
and Governance. Chinese Medical Science Journal 34(2). 76-83. Retrieved From
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1001929419300288
Marseille, E. & Kahn, J.G. (2019). Utilitarianism and the ethical foundations of cost-
effectiveness analysis in resource allocation for global health. Philosophy Ethics Humanities in
Medicines 14, 5 Retrieved From https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13010-
019-0074-7.pdf
O'Sullivan, S, Nevejans, N, Allen, C, Blyth, A. Leonard, S. Pagallo, U., Holzinger, K. Holzinger,

A., Sajid, M.I. & Ashrafian, H. (2019). Legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks for
development of standards in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous robotic
surgery. International Journal of Medical Robotics Computing Assistant Surgeries.
Retrieved From https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/rcs.1968

Ethics in IT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ethics in IT

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ethics in IT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PART – A

ETHICAL DILEMMAS & APPLICABLE THEORIES

THE ACS CODE

O'Sullivan, S, Nevejans, N, Allen, C, Blyth, A. Leonard, S. Pagallo, U., Holzinger, K. Holzinger,

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.