ELSI without RRI Perspectives: Cases of Japanese Biological Societies

• In Event: Concepts and Practices of ELSI: 1. ELSI as a Political Terrain

Abstract

This paper analyzed role and current situation of academic societies for education for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), considering the progress of discussions of RRI. Content analysis of guidelines, statements, and related documents of 133 Japanese academic societies in biological fields was conducted. As the result, there are mentions to Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) and science communication, on the other hand, there a few mentions to several important contents of RRI related to inclusion such as “sense for the minorities and the handicapped” and “antidiscrimination”. At the same time, there are few discussions on dual use. It seems that this lack of viewpoints of RRI have same root of narrow understanding of broad impacts of research activities among scholars. We should consider these current situations into future discussions of RRI education.

Author

• Ryuma Shineha, Seijo Univerisity