Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
aspects of the plane; that is, everything the mechanic
does, everything the copilot does, and everything about
the plane, the weather, the flying conditions, and what-
ever it takes to transport the plane, passenger, and cargo
safely to the destination are the responsibility of the
pilot. The captain is also accountable for everything that
transpires on his or her ''watch.'' Any organization, like
any system, has a set of norms and mores that are dis-
tributed throughout its membership. Indeed, the me-
chanic who does not follow protocol will be
reprimanded, usually severely, but the captain shares the
blame, if for no other reason than because the ''system''
being led by the captain does not adequately ensure high-
quality performance by the mechanic. Nor can the pilot
defer and deflect blame to the airline company. No
company policy or business decision should detract
from the professional responsibilities of the pilot. In a
word, the pilot remains responsible. The pilot is ac-
countable for the whole flight experience.
Table 8.1-3 Functions that must be integrated into an engineering
design
1. Baseline studies of existing conditions
2. Analyses of project alternatives
3. Feasibility studies
4. Environmental impact studies and other macro-ethical, societal
considerations
5. Assistance in project planning, approval, and financing
6. Design and development of systems, processes, and products
7. Design and development of construction plans
8. Project management
9. Construction supervision and testing
10. Process design
11. Start-up operations and training
12. Assistance in operations
13. Management consulting
14. Environmental monitoring
15. Decommissioning of facilities
16. Restoration of sites for other uses
17. Resource management
18. Measuring progress for sustainable development
What is technical?
With a better idea of what it means to be a professional,
we can now endeavor to characterize certain pro-
fessionals as ''technical.'' The technical professional must
have a mastery of technical subject matter. But, what
does this mean? Is the ability to play a video game or
listen to an I-Pod a technical skill? Most of us would not
think so. Is the ability to run sonigraphic software and
hardware a technical skill? Most would agree. However,
is this ability enough to be a considered a professional?
Many would say: ''No, it simply means the person is
a skillful technician.''
Source: Adapted from American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
http://
www.professionalpractice.asme.org/communications/sustainability/2.htm
;
accessed 23 May 2006.
with a device, structure, product, or activity can be
visualized at various stages of the manufacturing, mar-
keting, and application stages. This yields a number of
two-dimensional matrices (
Figure 8.1-6
) for each rele-
vant design component. And, each respective cell
indicates both the importance of that component and
the confidence (expressed as scientific certainty) that
the engineer can have about the underlying information
used to assess the importance (see legend in
Figure
8.1-6
).
The matrix approach is qualitative, but it allows
comparisons of alternatives that would otherwise be in-
comparable, which is often the case in bioethics. To some
extent, even numerical values can be assigned to each cell
to compare them quantitatively, but the results are at the
discretion of the analyst, who determines how different
areas are weighted. The matrix approach can also focus
on design for a more specific measure, such as energy
efficiency or product safety, and can be extended to view
corporate activities systematically.
Systematics: incorporating ethics
into the design process
The key to engineering successes is ensuring that all of
the right factors are considered in the design phase and
that these factors are properly implemented and moni-
tored throughout the project.
Integrated engineering approaches require that the
engineer's responsibilities extend well beyond the con-
struction, operation, and maintenance stages. Such an
approach has been articulated by the ASME. One way to
visualize a systematic view, such as design for the envi-
ronment (DFE) recommended by the ASME is to use an
integrated matrix
61
(
Ta b l e 8 . 1 - 3
). This allows for the
engineer to see the technical and ethical considerations
associated with each component of the design, as well as
the relationships among these components. For exam-
ple, health risks, social expectations, and environmental
impacts and other societal risks and benefits associated
