Materials and society -- impacts and responsibilities

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Metallurgical Transactions, B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02914896· OSTI ID:271599

Westwood, A R.C. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

The needs of today`s advanced societies have moved well beyond the requirements for food and shelter, etc., and now are focused on such concerns as international peace and domestic security, affordable health care, the swift and secure transmission of information, the conservation of resources, and a clean environment. Progress in materials science and engineering is impacting each of these concerns. This article will present some examples of how this is occurring and then comment on ethical dilemmas that can arise as a consequence of technological advances. The need for engineers to participate more fully in the development of public policies that help resolve such dilemmas, and so promote the benefits of advancing technology to society, will be discussed.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 271599
• Journal Information: Metallurgical Transactions, B, Journal Name: Metallurgical Transactions, B Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 27; ISSN MTTBCR; ISSN 0360-2141
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ENVIRONMENT
ETHICAL ASPECTS
HEALTH SERVICES
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
MATERIALS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SECURITY
SOCIAL IMPACT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION