AUTHORS NOTE: The title for this Open for Comment has been under consideration for some time as I have been wondering where exactly it fits in the overall ethics spectrum. I have concluded it should remain with a very generic title as the scenario depicted here can apply to almost any ethics debate.
Over the course of my lifetime, I have witnessed a number of developments, some of which have changed the way the world works. As a species we have done some significant things to further both ourselves and others on our planet. We have increased our knowledge exponentially, making us masters of our domain with sometimes unbelievable, ferocious power available at our fingertips.
To me, it seems as though the there is a common thread amongst all the greatness and ability: we have a tendency to blaze headlong into the unknown and open Pandora's box before we understand the potential of what we have done. The reasons for doing this are wide and varied, but the common theme tends to be the first to market to make the most amount of money. Once our personal and business future is assured, we then become philanthropic and want to give back to the world.
In our rush for the future, or money and fame, we rarely consider the ethics of what we are doing until after we open Pandora's box and the world has to pay for the consequences.
The scene is set: When should ethics be considered? How can we disseminate ideas to others for the ethical implications to be considered without losing our Intellectual Property? Is the solution to teach ethics from a young age so future creations will be handled better?
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