Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

One of the objectives of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists is to promote high standards of professional competence and ethics in its membership. Accordingly, a Code of Ethics for the Society has been adopted by the Society to serve as a guide for members of the Society in their practice of professional biology. Acceptance of this code of ethics is an important part of membership in the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists. Members of the Society are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Ethics printed in this brochure.
 

1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Code of Ethics of the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists requires members to exhibit competence and integrity in all aspects of the practice of professional biology.

A professional biologist will:

• Conduct and practice professional biology in accordance with the laws of Alberta and Canada. 
• Bring to the attention of authorities and the Directors of the Society any activity in the practice of professional biology which he is convinced is illegal or incompatible with the ethics of the Society. 
• Complete, sign or support only those projects and reports which are considered to be in conformity with standards established by the Directors of the Society. 
• Attempt to convey to the public at large, as well as to other professions, an understanding of the basic concepts of biological sciences and its practice as related to the natural environment and the public welfare. 
• Accept full responsibility for the results and conclusions (including all reports) of biological investigations for which he or she is principally responsible, and refuse to allow his or her name to be associated with reports or conclusions of investigations which have been altered in such a manner as to imply substantially different conclusions than those originally stated. 
• Refuse to carry out any work for which he or she is not competent to perform by virtue of training and experience. 
• Refuse to enter into any agreement with any employer or client to practice professional biology in a manner inconsistent with any of the foregoing. 

The Professional biologist must recognize that the practise of biological science requires an obligation to the public, since all living organisms comprise a part of the life support systems for us all. The public has a strong interest in the life sciences generally, which requires that the professional biologist engender a high degree of respect for the profession in the public view.

A professional biologist will:

• Recognize the need for caution in the issuance of statements connected with public policies and resources. 
• Ensure that public statements are unequivocal in informing the public as to the source of the statements and on whose behalf they are made. 
• Recognize the public sensitivity in matters associated with biological resources, and that all the known facts should form the only basis for any public statement. 
• Attempt to improve the quality of the profession by contributing to debates on education policies affecting the biological sciences. 
• Attempt to keep abreast of advances in knowledge in the field of biology by supporting public discussion relevant to biological science. 

Any professional society is only as strong as its members. The image of a profession is therefore simply a reflection of what others see in the membership at large. The strength and value of the profession of biology will increase through discussion of issues which often will be contentious. As far as a healthy Society is concerned, these issues should be debated internally, as often as necessary, but with a unified front to the outside. The personal independence of the individual must be protected, but so must the public view of the profession.

A professional biologist will:

• Recognize that an individual must make it clear whether statements are personal or have the support of the profession and the Society of which the biologist is a member. 
• While holding membership, support the Society personally in matters on which the Society has adopted a position by common accord of its members. 
• Not allow profit or personal advancement to interfere with responsibility to the Society and the profession. 
• Recognize that the practice of professional biology is conducted both in the public and in the private sector, and that the code of ethics applies equally in both sectors. 
• Participate in meetings, symposia and the like whenever possible, and endeavor to publish results of biological research and investigations in media suitable to that purpose, to disseminate biological information as widely as possible. 

As an employee or as a consultant, whether employed or retained by Government or the private sector, a professional biologist has a responsibility to the employer or client. It must be accepted by all professional biologists that they are agents for those from whom they receive remuneration.

A professional biologist will:

• At all times truly disclose all professional qualifications and experience to the employer or client. 
• Give professional advice based only on personal qualifications and experience. 
• Accept remuneration only for advice or services for which he or she is qualified to offer. 
• Not disclose confidential information obtained while employed in a salaried position, or acting as a consultant, unless authorized to do so by the employer or client. 
• Refrain from offering advice as to the qualifications and employment of another professional biologist, unless it is requested by the employer or client in the normal course of evaluating prospective employees or consultants. 
• Refrain from using his or her position or facilities for private gain, when remuneration for the position and/or facilities has already been received from an employer or client.