How the Engineers Consider the Public Welfare When the Inventions are not 100% Safe - Essay Example

As what I have fairly reflected, engineers must exploit the abundance of their knowledge to invent technological products and services not only for the welfare of few. These people must not use their personal interests to fulfill their desires; they have obligations and liabilities to the market—the society in general. They have standards to stick into. As stated by Herkert, the most significant responsibility of the engineers is to protect the public health, safety and welfare (165). But do you think that their responsibility is strictly adhered?

Nonetheless, there is no absolute rule, how about giving the public enough caution as to when the safety of a particular product is not definitely assured? Hence, engineers are humans like any member of the society. They cannot be perfect, and so I believe that they should be given certain exemptions, when foreseen effects and consequences are disclosed, properly labeled on products, they might not be held liable anyway. In connection, we would take several factual examples to comprehend deeper as to when engineers be held liable or not.

I would start from one of the latest controversies that echoed around the globe: the North Korea missile launched. According to the article of Schwarz, the people of Korea have strongly criticizes the missile program, since it entailed a lot of money from their government to spent on, while the people need the fund most for food. In addition, the White House also stated that the North Korea was just wasting its money for weapon while people were dwelling in the midst of crisis and food shortages.

Is this an alarming case? The officials of the government of any country is responsible for its citizens, but why they tried to prioritize technology advancement in the expense of those who hold the true essence of the nation—the people? They have pushed the rocket launched even if they are aware that the fund used for missiles might help a number of people who are in scarcity. Are they considerate enough? I believe that the wellbeing of the individuals reflects how good and effective the government is, unfortunately, few people in power are willing to get blind just to fulfill, most likely, their personal desires.

Perhaps, their ignorance gave them much criticism after the rocket failed to rich the orbit, and few people might have wished it would. Well, I might have done that if I am one of the starving people in Korea. One of the saddest facts that is indeed true and actually happened in the face of the globe. In the recent example, I have emphasized the government as to who, most likely, missed taking careful considerations, yet where were the functions of the engineers? Behind the government are professional engineering societies who have worked hard for a single-sided interest.

Technology advancement cannot be undone, but it must not be taken to compromise the public welfare. The good and safety of the society must be in the top of the list. Have they passed the ethical standard? That’s a good question, because the ethical view of people differs from one another. Moving on, let’s consider the commonly used technology for huge counts of the population in the entire planet—the mobile phones. Perhaps, the issues underlying the harmful effects of the radiations emitted by mobile phones are yet common.

Have you heard someone told you it’s not advisable to put your phones inside the pocket of your pants? Caution against