Can scientists eliminate themselves from discussions of morality and social conscience when “doing” science?

Question

Can scientists eliminate themselves from discussions of morality and social conscience when “doing” science?

Answer 1

No.

That is why it's so full of errors and opinions. People have a human bias to say what they want to say and only tell what they want to tell.

Answer 2

Perhaps, perhaps not, but this is not a science section.

Answer 3

They can't eliminate the way they feel about something, however they can recognize differences in culture and not feel the need to project their own mores when studying other culture's mores.

Answer 4

Not entirely.  While we must accept that what is "right" in one culture may not be "right" in another (cultural relativism), there are situations when it is morally responsible to intervene.  Indeed, there are anthropologists whose primary responsibility is to affect cultural change in moral values.  An example of this is the work to reduce or at minimum clinicalize the practice of female circumcision.  While it can be argued that it is a matter of cultural relativism, one could also point out that cultures are dynamic entities - they change as the contact new cultures and ideas.  While we may not agree with the act of circumcision, we can show objectively that it is harmful to the health of the women who recieve it.  They are at great risk for HIV, infection, and vaginismus.  Using sterile equipment on the procedure would dramatically reduce these risks, and finding a way to avoid or replace it with a culturally acceptable alternative could greatly increase the quality of life these women enjoy.

Answer 5

In Anthropology we call that Cultural Relativism.

Answer 6

Morality is a concept that can and probably should be decided by others.  Some scientists like the Russians working to perfect deadly organisms used in biological warfare should not pursue science without considering the morality. I am sure that many scientists in genetics did work that they couldn't expect to be used for such evil purposes.