The Oath

In realms of science as diverse as vaccine safety, cloning, drugs trials, climate research, psychology and palaeontology, the behaviour of scientists has come in for harsh public criticism. In some cases, published research has turned out to be fraudulent or conducted unethically. In others, scientists have been accused of being economical with the truth or avoiding openness with their data and activities.

So, should scientists sign up to an ethical code of behaviour along the lines of the Hippocratic Oath and what specific clauses should they promise to uphold?

Science broadcaster Adam Rutherford chairs a discussion with neuroscientist Colin Blakemore, science ethicist Sarah Chan and columnists Ben Goldacre and George Monbiot.

Producer: Andrew Luck-Baker.

What should be in a Hippocratic Oath for scientists?