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Our
interpretation of Canon 8 is as follows:
Engineers shall concern themselves with the impact
of their plans and designs on the environment. When the
impact is a clear threat to the health or safety of the
public, then guidelines for this canon revert to those
of Canon 1.
This canon is relatively new to the ASME code, and
is a result of the rising awareness of sustainable development,
of the impact of human activity on the earth, and of the
substantial role that engineers play in that activity.
It is important to note the difference between the phrasing
of this canon and of the other canons. Canons 1 - 7 prescribe
a behavior that is reasonably well-defined. Canon 2, for
example, states that engineers shall perform services
only in their area of competence. But Canon 8 does not
state or give guidance on how to resolve the conflicts.
It only states that engineers shall consider the impact
of the design.
The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China is
an example of a project that could cause an engineer concern.
This project might be the largest construction project
in human history; it will result in the resettlement of
many people, it will flood agricultural lands and historic
relics, and will provide flood control and clean electricity
to millions. The impact on the environment, both physical
and social, is immense and immediate. The benefits are
distributed and in the future. How does an engineer decide?
The utilitarian model provides a method for evaluating
the impact of such a project, although some of the values
needed for the evaluation may be difficult to obtain.
If the benefits outweigh the costs, then the project should
proceed. The respect for persons model suggests that the
rights of the potentially-displaced persons supersede
the societal benefits.
Thus, while this canon requires the engineer to consider
environmental impacts, it is necessary to refer to other
canons and perhaps moral models to help an engineer make
the decision. |
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