Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices

First, describe a biological engineering application or tool you want to develop and why.

• This could be inspired by an idea for your HTGAA class project and/or something for which you are already doing in your research, or something you are just curious about.

• Consider applications for CO2 sampling as CO2 sensors are unreliable and difficult in ocean applications. Simularily manual CO2 samples are somewhat difficult. Alternatively consider PH measurements as those also have challenges but less so than CO2. Dickson, A.G., Sabine, C.L. and Christian, J.R. (Eds.) 2007. Guide to best practices for ocean CO2 measurements. PICES Special Publication 3, 191 pp.

  Next, describe one or more governance/policy goals related to ensuring that this application or tool contributes to an “ethical” future, like ensuring non-malfeasance (preventing harm). Break big goals down into two or more specific sub-goals.

  Below is one example framework (developed in the context of synthetic genomics) you can choose to use or adapt, or you can develop your own. The example was developed to consider policy goals of ensuring safety and security, alongside other goals, like promoting constructive uses, but you could propose other goals for example, those relating to equity or autonomy.

  • Reduce the complexity of sampling CO2 levels in seawater this may allow for more citizen science in this application
  • Remove the need for storing samples and allow in field testing
  • Remove the need for hazardous materials such as the preservatives mercuric chloride (Mercuric chloride solutions must be handled as hazardous materials and sent to an EPA approved facility)
    • https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/files/dic_sample_technique_revised_5-17-10.pdf

  Next, describe at least three different potential governance “actions” by considering the four aspects below (Purpose, Design, Assumptions, Risks of Failure & “Success”).

  Try to outline a mix of actions (e.g. a new requirement/rule, incentive, or technical strategy) pursued by different “actors” (e.g. academic researchers, companies, federal regulators, law enforcement, etc). Draw upon your existing knowledge and a little additional digging, and feel free to use analogies to other domains (e.g. 3D printing, drones, financial systems, etc.).

  Purpose: What is done now and what changes are you proposing?

  Design: What is needed to make it “work”? (including the actor(s) involved - who must opt-in, fund, approve, or implement, etc)

  Assumptions: What could you have wrong (incorrect assumptions, uncertainties)?

  Risks of Failure & “Success”: How might this fail, including any unintended consequences of the “success” of your proposed actions?

Next, score (from 1-3 with, 1 as the best, or n/a) each of your governance actions against your rubric of policy goals. The following is one framework but feel free to make your own:

Last, drawing upon this scoring, describe which governance option, or combination of options, you would prioritize, and why. Outline any trade-offs you considered as well as assumptions and uncertainties. For this, you can choose one or more relevant audiences for your recommendation, which could range from the very local (e.g. to MIT leadership or Cambridge Mayoral Office) to the national (e.g. to President Biden or the head of a Federal Agency) to the international (e.g. to the United Nations Office of the Secretary-General, or the leadership of a multinational firm or industry consortia). These could also be one of the “actor” groups in your matrix.

Reflecting on what you learned and did in class this week, outline any ethical concerns that arose, especially any that were new to you. Then propose any governance actions you think might be appropriate to address those issues. This should be included on your class page for this week.