Apple pie to Apollo 13: the need to refocus engineering ethics with deontological elements, similar to medical ethics

In 2006, FEANI (the European Federation of National Engineering Associations) adopted a position paper on engineering ethics, stating that: The decisions and actions of engineers have a large impact on the environment and on society. The engineering profession thus has an obligation to ensure that it works in the public interest and with regard for health, safety and sustainability. There is little to argue against in FEANI's position paper. However, critics would say that it is too vague, and focused too much on the individual. This paper examines the type of ethics taught and practiced by engineers, and argues for the need for a change in the ethical framework, from an ethics founded on consequentialism, to one based on deontology, or responsibility and duty. It is argued that engineering should more closely follow medical ethics, where two strong deontological principles apply, first, do no harm and second, apply the precautionary principle. This argument is illustrated by three case studies of engineering accidents, past, present and one future possible accident.