ETHICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISIONS

Ethics are determined by weighing risks against benefits, pros against cons, but also by evasion. Whenever decisions are taken, the side eff ects and risks to be accepted must be weighed. In law, this is called the principle of commensurability implying that ethical compromises ar e made. Too much emphasis on ethical principles leads to an evasion of realistic action. In consensus discussions it is often seen that the positions adopted by science and technology are incommensurable with t hose of philosophy, psychology, and theology. Any decision requires th at the risk be evaluated in a spirit of responsibility.