Should Earth Scientists Take a ‘Hippocratic Oath’? | Wired Science | Wired.com

Description

Two researchers think it's about time their discipline made a public commitment not to harm the patient they study: Earth. Like the Hippocratic oath -

I vow to always:

* Advise against any intervention into the functioning of Earth systems that I believe might harm humanity, the biosphere, atmosphere or other Earth systems upon which our well being depends.
* Make clear to the public that scientific understanding of Earth systems is limited and that this makes all alterations of Earth systems inherently risky.
* Describe, to the best of my knowledge and that of my discipline, the specific risks incurred by any intentional alteration of an Earth system, including the risks to humans, other organisms, and the systems that support life on Earth.
* Ensure that whatever advice I give, I give for the benefit of humanity, remaining free of intentional distortion or personal bias.

Original URL

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/earth-science-oath/

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/earth-science-oath/