Re:Ethical issues in research using datasets of illicit origin
by crankylinuxuser on Thursday November 09, 2017 @01:46PM
(#15664771)
If I remember correctly, there was also a similar set of unethical decisions in Nazi Germany that generated a body of knowledge of how humans survive under "situations", like lack of oxygen, rapid-(de)pressurization, decompression, % body burned and live. Just a whole lot of horrible things.
The problem was, this was done scientifically. Controls, and all that. The problem was they were intentionally treating their subjects (Jewish) like lab rats.
But when WWII ended, we realized some of their data could be used for the space race. And the US used it.
The ethical issues here are all encompassing. Do you get rid of it and let them die in vain? Do you use it, and benefit on people executed over genocide conditions? There's no good way to answer this, as the converse has a valid argument as well.
I look back and say, well, I was born in the early 80's. It's about 60 years before my time (would have to be born in the 20's to serve in the 40's).
The problem was, this was done scientifically. Controls, and all that. The problem was they were intentionally treating their subjects (Jewish) like lab rats.
But when WWII ended, we realized some of their data could be used for the space race. And the US used it.
The ethical issues here are all encompassing. Do you get rid of it and let them die in vain? Do you use it, and benefit on people executed over genocide conditions? There's no good way to answer this, as the converse has a valid argument as well.
I look back and say, well, I was born in the early 80's. It's about 60 years before my time (would have to be born in the 20's to serve in the 40's).