2. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 1 Business Ethics and Technology Search the Web If you are interested in ethics conversations regarding technology, visit http://www.ethix.orghttp://www.ethix.org

3. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 2 Chapter Eight Objectives Identify the role of technology in business Understand the technological environment and its relationship to ethics Identify technological benefits and side effects Realize an appreciation of society’s fascination with technology and its impact Differentiate between information technology and biotechnology and their ethical implications

4. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 3 Chapter Eight Outline Technology and the Technological Environment Characteristics of Technology Ethics and Technology Information Technology Biotechnology Summary

5. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 4 Introduction to Chapter Eight This chapter explores questions surrounding technology and business ethics, including: –What does technology mean? –What are the benefits and challenges of technology? –How does ethics relate to technology? –What are the ethical issues surrounding information technology and biotechnology?

6. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 5 Technology and the Technological Environment Technology is the means employed to provide objects necessary for achieving human sustenance and comfort: –Macroenvironment of business vs. the technological environment

7. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 6 Characteristics of Technology Benefits of Technology Increased production of goods and services Reduced labour to produce these goods and services Reduced injuries in the workplace Increased standard of living

8. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 7 Characteristics of Technology Side Effects and Challenges of Technology Environmental pollution The depletion of natural resources Technological unemployment Diminished work satisfaction

9. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8 Ethics and Technology Concern over the ethical use and implications of technology: –Avoid amoral applications of technology

10. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 9 Ethics and Technology Society’s Obsession with Technology Favour the quick fix The fear and worshiping technology Blur the distinction between what is real and fake Accept violence as normal Love technology as a toy Live our lives distanced and distracted

11. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 10 Information Technology Two Types of Information Technology Electronic commerce Computer technology

12. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 11 Information Technology Issues Concerning Electronic Commerce Scams Invasion of privacy

13. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 12 Information Technology E-Commerce Privacy Issues Identity theft Revealing personal information Dispersing personal information Fraudulent websites Government distribution of information

14. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 13 Information Technology E-Commerce Privacy Issues Broadcasting information over the internet Spying –by employer or spouse or stranger Cyberstalkers

15. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 14 Information Technology E-Commerce and Government Protection The Financial Services Modernization Act Proposed legislation –Consumer Online Privacy and Disclosure Act –Online Consumer Protection Act –Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act

16. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 15 Information Technology E-Commerce and Business Initiatives Ethical leadership Privacy policies Chief privacy officers

17. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 16 Information Technology E-Commerce and Questionable Businesses and Practices Pornography Gambling Downloading –Napster –MusicNet Monitoring technology

18. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 17 The Workplace and Computer Technology The Employee’s Impression of Technology Expands job-related knowledge Increases productivity Improves communications with clients Relieves job stress

19. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 18 The Workplace, Computer Technology and Surveillance Types of Monitoring - e-mail and Internet usage - fax usage - workers via video camera - cell phone usage

20. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 19 Unethical Workplace Employee Activities Engaging in dangerous activities Blaming errors on technology Copying company software for home use Accessing corporate files without permission

21. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 20 Computer Technology and Unethical Workplace Activities Computer shopping Invading a co-worker’s privacy Visiting porn sites and playing games Seeking employment on company time

22. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 21 Biotechnology Bioethics deals with ethical issues embedded in the use of biotechnology. Proceduralism deals with elaborate protocols to ensure classical ethical dilemmas do not arise, such as informed consent.

23. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 22 Biotechnology Nonprofits Canadian Bioethics Society www.bioethics.ca/english/ www.bioethics.ca/english/ Joint Centre for Bioethics www.utoronto.ca/jcb/ www.utoronto.ca/jcb/ Council of Canadians www.canadians.org www.canadians.org American Society for Bioethics and Humanities www.asbh.org www.asbh.org The Council for Responsible Genetics www.gene-watch.org www.gene-watch.org Bioethics.net www.bioethics.net www.bioethics.net National Human Genome Research Institute www.nhgri.nih.gov www.nhgri.nih.gov

24. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 23 Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Stem cell research Cloning Genetic testing and profiling

25. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 24 Biotechnology Genetically Modified Foods Safety issues Labelling issues

26. © 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 25 Selected Key Terms Bioethics Biotechnology Chief privacy officer Cloning Electronic commerce Embryonic stem cells Genetic engineering Genetic profiling Genetic testing Genetically modified foods Information technology Surveillance Technology Technological environment Therapeutic cloning