Mahboobin 10:00
R05
ETHICAL DILEMMA: MASS PRODUCING THE DRINKABLE BOOK
DESPITE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL CHEMICAL DESIGN FLAWS
Clare Beahn (ceb118@pitt.edu)
INTRODUCTION
As engineers, we are faced with a plethora of challenges
ranging anywhere from restoring and improving urban
infrastructure to making solar energy and engineering better
medicines [1]. The desire to develop new technologies and
products that can provide solutions to these problems is real
and evident in the work being done by engineers in many
different fields all across the globe. At this very moment,
engineers are creating and designing technologies that have
the ability to enhance and advance humanity. Innovation,
however, is only half the battle. Once a product is designed
and physically created it must be tested not only to determine
whether it works in the way engineers thought, but also to
determine whether or not it follows ethical guidelines. Ethics
in engineering are extremely important, but often overlooked
by people often too concerned with the short term result,
whether that be recognition and praise for the new and
seemingly perfect solution or for profit. Engineers are
required to abide by various ethical codes determined by their
field, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, or by
an overarching organization such as the National Society of
Professional Engineers. These codes are often not brought to
the attention of the consumer unless a violation has occurred.
Evident or not, all engineers must answer to some code of
ethics whether it is the general code of ethics for engineers of
a specific code pertaining to the particular field or project. If
they fail adhere to said codes it may damage their credibility
and overall reputation of the engineer not to mention the
negative impact of the technology or product on the
consumer. It is important to address the scenarios in which an
ethical dilemma might arise before the product is sent out onto
the market to ensure the success of the specific technology. In
this paper, I will be addressing an ethical dilemma associated
with The Drinkable Book, a water filtration device, and what
consequences might arise from its premature distribution.
THE DRINKABLE BOOK
The Drinkable Book is a water filtration system that
was recently developed by Dr. Teri Dankovich, a postdoctoral
researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh [2].
Around the world, upwards of 3 million people die every year
as a result of water-related diseases. This statistic is
particularly surprising because these deaths are extremely
preventable with the proper knowledge and water sanitation
practices [3]. The Drinkable Book presents a solid solution to
both aspects of this issue of providing clean water. The book’s
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
Submission Date 2015-11-03
pages consist of silver nanoparticles used to kill more than
99% of harmful bacteria in the dirty water source. Early trials
at 25 contaminated water sources in South Africa, Ghana and
Bangladesh have demonstrated the filter’s ability to remove
these harmful microorganisms. The new technology is
“’directed towards communities in developing countries,’”
according to Dr. Dankovich, siting the fact that 663 million
people worldwide do not have access to sources of clean
drinking water [2]. The book costs less than a dollar to
produce and teaches water hygiene to the user as well as
filtering out deadly bacteria from the water supply. An
individual page can provide at maximum 30 days of clean
water and an entire book offers up to four years of clean,
filtered water [3]. The Drinkable Book, according to various
engineers, including Dr. Kyle Doudrick, who studies
sustainable water treatment at the University of Notre Dame
in Indiana, of the technologies available for water treatment,
this book is a promising one because it is cost effective and
easy to understand and use [2].
THE PROBLEM
While the talk surrounding the Drinkable Book is
very positive and encouraging, there is still more
experimentation and testing to be done. The Drinkable Book
has passed two key stages; showing that it works in the lab
and on real world water sources. One cause for concern,
however, is the effect of the silver nanoparticles on the filtered
water sample. Preliminary testing reveals there were amounts
of silver or copper (depending on the nanoparticle used in the
specific book, the majority of the books use silver) left over
in the water sample after it had been run through the page
filter. These levels, however, have been determined to be
below the safety limits, however further trials would be
necessary to successfully prove the silver traces in the filtered
drinking water insignificant [2]. Knowing this information
and what stage we are at in the testing of this product, my
bosses have asked me to sign off on the quality of the
Drinkable Book and, with my authorization, the book will be
sent out for production and distribution to thousands of people
worldwide starting next week. I, as a young engineer, am now
faced with a significant ethical dilemma: do I sign to please
my bosses or not sign and present my opinions of the product
in its preliminary stage and most likely upset my superiors. If
I do sign off on the mass production and distribution of the
Drinkable Book then I will gain the approval of my bosses
and I will likely be on my way to eventually becoming an
Clare Beahn
established engineer. This approval, however, will come at
the cost of the health of many people in countries all over the
world due to the possible excess silver particles in the water
supply. On the other hand, if I do not sign off on production
and voice my issues with the product as is my bosses will be
upset with me and I might lose my job and possibly even take
a hit on my career as a result of the disproval from my
superiors.
In addition to the general code established by the
National Society of Professional Engineers, I can also site the
code of ethics established by the American Society of Civil
Engineers, as previously mentioned in the paragraph. The
NSPE and ASCE codes of ethics for engineers are extremely
similar. One canon that is included in the ASCE code and not
in the NSPE code states that “engineers shall continue their
professional development throughout their careers, and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of
those engineers under their supervision” [5]. Part of ensuring
my professional development as an engineer is conducting
myself in a professional manner and earning the trust of my
colleagues in the field. If I fail to abide by these ethical rules
then I cannot properly establish myself as a credible engineer.
Both the codes of ethics for engineers established by the
National Society of Professional Engineers and the American
Society of Civil Engineers are relevant to my issue because
they outline morals that I should follow in order to become a
successful engineer who is confident in the technologies I
endorse.
INFLUENTIAL SOURCES
In an attempt to make a decision as to whether I will
sign off on the premature production of the Drinkable Book
with its negative side-effects I have consulted several sources.
First, I revisited the Code of Ethics created by the National
Society of Professional Engineers as well as the code from the
American Society of Civil Engineers. These two codes are
very similar and following these codes as an engineer is very
important to me because I want to develop, create, produce
and endorse innovated technologies and products that will be
of service to people and are safe to use. The National Society
of Professional Engineers (NSPE) emphasizes six
fundamental canons, three of which I find extremely
significant in my scenario. The first canon requires engineers
to “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the
public” meaning that the safety of the consumer should
always come first when designing a product with the intent of
mass distribution [4]. If the product has any chance of
harming the user then, in accordance with the code of ethics
established by the NSPE as well as in the first canon of the
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), along with my
personal strict moral code I would not feel comfortable
approving said product for market [5]. Secondly, an engineer
must “avoid deceptive acts” [4]. Lying or embellishing a new
technology in order to better market it is wrong and should
never happen because the consequences can be harmful and
possibly even fatal at times. If the Drinkable Book were to go
to production today marketed as a viable filtration technology
that produces a clean water supply and endorsed by our
company then we, as the engineers who signed off on the
product, would be deceiving everyone using the product. The
book, as is, presents significant health risks to all of those who
will drink the source consistently. Lastly, all engineers must
“conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and
usefulness of the profession” [4]. Professionalism is key in
order to obtain respect in the world of engineering, respect
and credibility that will great have a great impact on my career
as I move forward. It would be highly unprofessional to start
my career as an engineer by compromising my moral values
and signing off on a product that I would not use myself.
Being professional requires a level of integrity and a high
standard for excellence in the technology I produce and the
projects I work on.
Articles about Ethics
I also looked over two other sources regarding ethics
in engineering. The article titled “Contributing to the Good
Life” discusses the value of living the ‘good life’ and making
a positive contribution to society, no matter how small [6].
This value pertains directly the work of engineers because as
engineers, we tackle large scale problems and work to present
solutions and technological advances that attempt to solve
these issues. In my case, I am trying to maintain the integrity
of a potentially great product with a harmful setback, but one
that can be fixed with time and experimentation. If the book
were to be released next week it would do more harm than
good and that is not a contribution I want to make in the world.
In a second article about ethics outlines what ethics is not and
presents and interesting perspective how to think about ethical
issues [7]. The article distinguishes between being ethical and
doing what society accepts, and in my case I would be going
against the grain of “society” and challenging authority
despite my young engineer status. These two articles are
helpful in that I now have a greater general knowledge of
ethics to determine how to handle the dilemma with which I
am faced in a new light.
Outside Sources
After looking at those four sources I still needed
more help in making my decision. I ended up turning to my
faith and various scriptures for guidance on how to handle
such an ethical dilemma where people’s lives essentially hang
in the balance. My readings proved very powerful and
extremely helpful in reaching my final decision. With the
codes of ethics that I was legally and morally obligated to
abide by as well as the two articles I consulted in addition to
the scriptures I have come to the conclusion that I cannot sign
Continuing Code of Ethics
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Clare Beahn
off on a product that I know will not benefit the consumer and
may end up doing more damage than good in the world. To
falsely advertise a product for water filtration that does not, in
fact, filter the water but instead pollutes it even more is wrong.
I will not put my name on a document that is full of deception
and could potentially ruin my credibility as an engineer as
well as harm the lives of thousands of innocent people. The
issue I need to solve now is how I, the young engineer just out
of school, combat my superiors and refuse a direct order to
sign off on a product I know is not ready. The answer came in
the form of a TED Talk I watched about how to stand up for
what is right and ethical even if it means going up against a
superior source or authority. From this talk I learned that if I
come in with an opposing idea or thought, especially when
approaching my superiors, then I must have the research and
argument to back up my claims.
REFERENCES
[1] “NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering.” National
Academy of Engineering. (website).
http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/
[2] J.Webb. (2015). “Bug-killing book pages clean murky
drinking water.” BBC News. (online article).
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33954763
[3] E.Goldberg. (2014). “This ‘Drinkable Book’ is a scientific
breakthrough that will save countless lives.” The Huffington
Post. (online article).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/05/drinkablebook_n_5267349.html
[4] “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers.” National Society of
Professional Engineers. (website).
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
[5] “Code of Ethics.” American Society of Civil Engineers.
(website). http://www.asce.org/code-of-ethics/
[6] S.Vallor. (2015). “Contributing to the Good Life.” Santa
Clara University. (online article).
http://www.scu.edu/ethics-center/ethicsblog/all-aboutethics.cfm?b=675&cat=General%20Ethics
[7] M.Velasquez. (2010). “What is Ethics?” Santa Clara
University. (online article).
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.h
tml
MY DECISION
Combining all of my research on the ethics of
engineering and what to do in my specific situation, I have
decided that the positives outweigh the negatives and I will
not sign the paper and I will stand up to my bosses because
the issue of consumer safety and knowledge is more
important. I also value my career and integrity as an engineer
too much to waste my credibility, what little I have in this
early stage of my career, on blindly following the orders of
my superiors. Engineering is all about questioning and
challenging ideas, therefore, armed with my moral values, the
NSPE and ASCE Codes of Ethics as well as my other research
I am prepared to voice my opinions because those are
something I can fully and confidently stand behind as right
and just in my mind.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES


CONCLUSION

It is extremely important for engineers to follow
and abide by. Codes of Ethics for Engineers are put in place
by organizations such as the National Society for Professional
Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, in
addition to those determined in other areas of engineering, to
present a standard by which every engineer must follow.
These codes are very useful because, if followed, the public,
those of whom use the products designed and created by
engineers, can be sure that the products they are using are safe
and beneficial to them and they are not being deceived. In my
case, I would choose to follow the codes of ethics because that
is greater than and more important to me than to blindly
follow the request of my superior. Engineers will most
definitely be faced with ethical dilemmas similar to mine, but
it is how they will choose to address them that matters. I
would like to think that ethics and the safety of the consumer
would be of the upmost important to the engineers in charge
more so than profit and pride.



Bible. (book).
“Engineers Without Borders (EWB).” Online Ethics
Center. (website)
http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/EWB
.aspx
M.Heffernan. (2012). “Dare to disagree.”
TEDGlobal. (video).
https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dar
e_to_disagree?language=en#t-743370
“Roman Holiday—Case 1042.” Texas Tech
University. (online article).
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/murdoughcenter/products/
cases.php
“The Green Revolution.” Online Ethics Center.
(website).
http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/Gree
nRevolution.aspx
“To Release, or Not to Release: An Engineer’s
Perspective.” Stanford Biodesign. (online article).
http://biodesign.stanford.edu/bdn/ethicscases/21rele
asequestion.jsp
AWKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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Clare Beahn
I would like to thank my writing instructor Julianne
McAdoo for grading my first and second pieces of writing
and, in advance, for grading this assignment. I would also like
to thank Joe Bell for his willingness to answer my various
questions regarding the assignment.
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