Engineering Ethics – ENG231e- engineer for a mobile phone and tablet rechargeable battery manufacturer, Singapore

Answer all the questions. (Total 100 marks)

Question 1
You are a quality engineer for a mobile phone and tablet rechargeable battery manufacturer. You found out that the battery has a shorter lifetime than the design specification and may cause over-heating leading to the damage of the electronics in the mobile phones. However, the risk of explosion of the device remains low. Rectifying the error would delay the availability of the product in the market by 6 months. You sought your manager’s advice and he suggested not to highlight the findings and only to take corrective actions in future designs.

(a) You wrote a blog on this matter. Examine if this constitutes an act of whistle blowing. Provide FOUR (4) reasons to support your answer. (10 marks)
(b) Since the risk of explosion of the rechargeable battery is low, is the engineer obligated to disclose his findings? Give FIVE (5) reasons to support your answer. (10 marks)

(c) Present the need of a protection law for whistle-blowers. (5 marks)

Question 2
The two largest carbon emitting economies in the world reached a deal in November 2014 to cap carbon emissions between the years of 2025 to 2030 and to increase use of renewable energy to aid sustainable development. This is in line with the UN document “Our common future”.

(a) Give the FOUR (4) important roles of engineers in environmental issues. (12 marks)

(b) Compare and contrast Techno-think and Green Philosophy. (5 marks)
(c) The definition of sustainable development used in the UN document is seen as a compromised statement. Discuss the definition of sustainable development and its main criticism. (8 marks)

Question 3
(a) Professionals like to pursue self-interest for their own good. Discuss the pursuit of self-interest according to the following ethical theories:
(i) Utilitarian Ethical Theory (2 marks)

(ii) Rights Ethical Theory (2 marks)

(iii) Duty Ethical Theory (2 marks)

(iv) Virtue Ethical Theory (2 marks)

(b) How does the Self-realization Ethical Theory differ from the four ethical theories stated in Question 3(a)? (10 marks)

(c) Determine the ethical theory that best describes the motivation behind Jack Kilby’s invention of first integrated circuits (microchip) in Texas Instruments in 1958. (7 marks)

Question 4
(a) A scientist specializing in the field of stem cell research, published an article in a high-profile journal. He claimed that he had succeeded in creating human embryonic stem cells by cloning. He was charged with embezzlement and bioethics law violations after it emerged that much of his stem cell research had been faked. He was eventually found guilty of embezzlement, bioethical law violations and fraud. This is a case of failing in research integrity.
(i) Discuss the importance of research integrity. (5 marks)
(ii) Discuss the FOUR (4) typical types of deception and fraud in research. Identify the types of deception and fraud in the above given case. (14 marks)
(b) With reference to code of ethics of engineer, give the responsibilities towards yourself as an engineer, the employer and the public. (6 marks)