Sir David King ScD FRS

Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government and Head of the Government Office for Science

13 December 2007 Kingsgate House

66-74 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6SW
Dear Colleagues,

UNIVERSAL ETHICAL CODE FOR SCIENTISTS

Firstly, let me thank you for taking time out of your busy careers to act as an ambassador
to our young people, and for the important work that you do in encouraging them to
become more engaged with science, technology, engineering and maths.

You may already be aware of “Rigour, Respect and Responsibility: the Universal Ethical
Code for scientists”. Further details are available in our leaflet, to which I attach a link -
www.berr.gov.uk/files/file41318.pdf . Essentially, it’s a 7 point plan (see below) setting out
the key ethical behaviours which we have the right to expect of anyone engaging in
research or scientific endeavour. And by science, I mean science in its very broadest
sense - It extends to anyone whose work uses scientific methods, including social, natural,
medical and veterinary sciences, engineering and mathematics.

I am writing to ask you for your support to encourage the further rollout and take up of the
Code in your working environments, and with raising awareness of the Code and its
principles more widely.

The Code is a simple, public statement of the values and responsibilities of scientists and
researchers more widely. It has three main aims: to foster ethical research; to encourage
active reflection among scientists on the implications and impacts of their work; and to
support constructive communication between scientists and the public on complex and
challenging issues. And it is useful as a tool to raise awareness: the concepts are easily
understood and can be used at all stages of education. It should, therefore, also
demonstrate to the public that scientists take ethical issues seriously.

It is worth stating explicitly here that I have no doubt that the vast majority of scientists
and researchers already abide by the Code in their everyday work. Nevertheless, I firmly
believe that the value of the Code, which represents an overarching framework providing a
foundation for other guidelines, lies in its simplicity, accessibility and utility as a tool to help
raise public confidence in the governance of science and trust in the evidence, products
and services which we put into the public domain.

Importantly, the Code is not intended to replace existing guidelines which you may already
be working to, e.g. relating to specific professions or areas of research. Rather, it captures

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3300 8550 Fax: +44 (0) 20 3300 8850 Email: mpst.king@dius.gsi.gov.uk
a small number of broad principles that are shared across disciplinary and institutional
boundaries, and that represent existing best practice. I am convinced that its wider
adoption will help raise public awareness, engagement and support for science and
innovation, and increase public confidence in our scientific professions.

Within Government, a number of key agencies have shown how easy it is to put the Code
at the centre of their practice. It is also encouraging to see that there is already evidence
of the Code being adopted outside Government. For instance, the Royal Academy of
Engineering, in conjunction with the Engineering Council UK, has recently launched a
revised Statement of Ethical Principles www.raeng.org.uk/policy/ethics/principles.htm).
Though aimed at engineers, it is fully compatible with the principles of the Code, explicitly
referencing it as the basis for the statement.

I would be delighted if you could:

• Champion the Code within your workplace, perhaps encouraging dialogue and
discussion.

• Let us know the outcome so that we can publicise your efforts and add your
organisation to our database of best practice.

For further information regarding the Rigour, Respect and Responsibiltiy, or to discuss any
aspect of it please contact the DIUS Science and Society Team at
scienceandsociety@dius.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0203 300 8703.

I look forward to your support on establishing and promoting Rigour, Respect and
Responsibility more widely in the commercial and industrial sectors.

Yours sincerely

Sir David King

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3300 8550 Fax: +44 (0) 20 3300 8850 Email: mpst.king@dius.gsi.gov.uk