''Need to modify ethical guidelines in computers, commn sector''

Navi Mumbai, Jan 31 (PTI) Scientists and technocrats haveemphasised on the urgent need for modifying ethical guidelinesin tune with the fast-changing scenario in the field ofcomputers and communication.

"With the rapid pace of advancement in hardware andsoftware, making things obsolete every 3-4 years, it becomes asin to sell or donate old computers to anyone.The exponentialgrowth of communication and transport in the last century hassolved many problems and created some threats also. Thereforethere is need to modify the ethical guidelines in theseareas," said H K Kaura, former director of Computer Sciencedivision of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) here.

"There are numerous ways of interacting through mobile orsocial networking which can give some comfort and also morechallenges to take care of oneself. It can lead to hacking ofbank accounts, leaking of secret information or damaging ofdata," he said adding giant software companies monopolisingproducts and even going to the extent of acquiring productsby unfair means.

Kaura was speaking at the three-day All India Meeting ofWomen in Science, a national conference on ''Science andTechnology: Ethical Issues'', which concluded here yesterday.

A senior scientist of Homi Bhabha Centre for ScienceEducation, Dr Chitra Natarajan, speaking at the conference on''Technology and Ethics: The Complex Links'', highlighted theissues related to engineering and technology, where ethicalconcerns if compromised, lead to major disasters affecting alarge section of the society.

Listing the code of ethics given by IEEE, the world''slargest professional association for advancement oftechnology, she said ethical issues in technology include"responsibility, safety and risk." .