Obligations
David Parnas – A Case
Study
A
respected computer scientist within the Department of Defense, David Parnas
was recruited to join the panel of directors for the Strategic Defense
Initiative, more properly known as "Star Wars." One of his first
tasks was to study the feasibility of creating a computerized network to be
used in the defense against nuclear attack. The network was to communicate
efficiently with satellites located around the globe to track and counter any
ICBM entering US airspace. Citing the inherently unreliable nature of
software, Parnas believed the project was doomed to failure. In a
recommendation to the DoD, he revealed his findings and then promptly
resigned from his position of leadership, citing that he would not support a
futile project that not only would waste billions in revenue, but would also
give the American people a false sense of safety. When the national media
later obtained a copy of his recommendation to the DoD, government officials
practicing spin control lambasted the respected Parnas. A man with strong
convictions, Parnas refused to back down from blowing the whistle on
technology in which he did not believe. In his reprisal of the events, he
offers these guidelines for the consummate professional:
1) Must be responsible for own actions
2) Cannot ignore moral or ethical standards
3) Make sure that one is solving a real problem, not just making superiors
happy
Code
of Professional Conduct
- As offered by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
1) Act
with integrity
a. Qualify
self
b. Preface partisan statements with who it's for
c. Act faithfully for employers/clients
2) Strive
to increase competence
a. Extend
public knowledge
b. Do not misrepresent self
c. Design systems that meet needs
d. Maintain competence through continual education
e. Provide opportunity and encouragement
3) Accept
responsibility for work
a. Accept
only reasonable assignments
b. Shall not neglect accepted assignments
4) Act
with professional responsibility
a. Conduct
professional activities on a high plane
b. Encouraged to uphold and improve these standards
5) Use
knowledge to benefit mankind
a. Consider health, privacy, and general welfare of
mankind
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