ESC301: Ethics and Professionalism Assignment 1

SECTION A: 1. A New Breed of Engineer

The idea that Engineers exists to serve humanity though wide array of disciplines, is certainly not new.
From many historical records such as Virtruvius De architectura, the engineer is considered a
master of many disciplines. [1] Engineers create the world, for the world. Thus, in order to fulfill their
duties, engineers should design for the greater good of humanity (Utilitarianism). To design under these
ethical frameworks, the engineer must be multidisciplinary, and a problem definer.
A start-up company called Bioynm exemplifies this argument. Recognizing that each individual has a
unique heartbeat, Bioynm specialized in a product called Nymi, which uses the human heartbeat as
identification. Unlike fingerprint identification, the human heartbeat is impossible to replicate, or
steal, and as such, increases identity security exponentially. [2] [2] Nymi is an engineering design that
is not only a problem solver, but also a problem definer that aims to benefit the greater good in a rulebased utilitarianism. While the current identification technologies are adequate, the founders of Bionym
recognized a more efficient method to interact among individuals, protect individuality, and assist law
enforcement for identification. Through utilitarianism, the founders of Bionym identified a new way of
interaction for the greater good, and help enforce preexisting laws.
As such, Nymi is extremely multidisciplinary; as a technology that tracks heartbeat, engineers must have
solid concepts in biomedical engineering, ergonomics, material science, and electronics. From Bionym,
we can see that for innovation to occur, the engineer must be multidisciplinary, as well as problem
definers.
Ultimately, the new breed of engineering is much like the architects of the renaissance; creating for
the greater good defined by utilitarianism ethics. Contemporary engineers must be multidisciplinary,
and able to define problems of society. Thus the ethical engineer creates for the benefits of humanity.

SECTION B: Who benefits and Who pays?

Benefits and harm exist in all circumstances, and as an engineer, one cannot hope to generate a design
without harm to the society. Who benefits, and who pays is a vital consideration, and in many cases, a
design can bring both harm and benefits to the same group. Artificial Lighting, is a great example of an
engineering design that has a positive and negative impact on society.
The benefits of artificial lighting are quite plentiful. Artificial lighting increased human productivity and
security by allowing us to work after sunset, eliminating darkness. Lighting can also assist in surgery and
other medical operations.
However, artificial lighting can be harmful. Because our biological clocks are synchronized to sunlight,
artificial lighting disturbs it, and desynchronizes our natural functions. [4] As a result, hormones that
regulates mood, hunger and sleep are irregular, causing fatigue, depressions, and other associated
health problems. [3]
Addressing the harm of artificial lighting mostly exist in social solutions, rather than a technological
ones. A conscious effort to spread awareness of its harm to society is one effective mediator. Because
the same group benefits and pays for this technology, to converge the polarity of costs and benefits, we
only need to mediate the harm.

References
[1] M. V. Pollio, De architectura.
[2] Bionym, "Nymi," Bionym , 2013. [Online]. Available: http://www.getnymi.com/. [Accessed 11 11
2014].
[3] T. C. Press, "Royal Bank to test out Toronto company's Nymi technology," Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation, 09 Nov 2014. [Online]. Available: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/royalbank-to-test-out-toronto-company-s-nymi-technology-1.2829259. [Accessed 11 11 2014].
[4] C. A. C. Jeanne F. Duffy, "Effect of Light on Human Circadian Physiology," Sleep Med Clin., vol. 4, no.
2, p. 165177, 2009 .
[5] P. Lumec, "The Effects of Artificial," Philips Lumec, 7 October 2010. [Online]. Available:
http://www.lumec.com/newsletter/focal-point/10-2010/effects-artificial-light-humain.html.
[Accessed 11 11 2014].