Scientific progress is often in conflict with ethical demands or even human rights. Particularly issues concerning human health, reproduction and free will are challenged by new technologies developed in the fields of genetic engineering, organ replacement and artificial intelligence.In this project on “Medical Ethics” we will explore the current status of respective scientific breakthroughs, laws adopted by individual countries and the EU, as well as ethical questions raised by experts and common people. Thus, we have put together a diverse panel of five secondary schools spanning from north to south (Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, Italy), each introducing a different topic into the discussion.Germany adopted an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy on the federal level in late 2018. As a result, up to three billion Euros will be funnelled into AI research in the following years. Similar strategies have been developed by other European countries, including Finland and Norway. However, it is yet to be determined which aspects of human life and society will be transformed by this technology - and how.A different picture can be drawn for genetic engineering. Here, most European countries are opposed to releasing genetically modified organisms (GMO) into the field - although GMO play an important role in industrial biotechnology (especially microbes) – or using the power of genetics for human health. New technologies like targeted gene editing (CRIPR-Cas9) challenge the traditional view of “GM” and are a hot topic in European and international law-making. Some researchers hope to create artificial organs using genetic tools but at the moment doctors still rely on organ transplantation. Yet again, the constant shortage of organs sparks many discussions among politicians and the public if people should be forced to donate their organs upon death or actively opt-in as an organ donor.All schools involved have up to date in-house facilities for experimental work and computing. In shortlab based seminars, students will gain first-hand experience in relevant experimental techniques. They will also visit several research facilities, medical institutions and tech companies to get a deeper understanding of current developments in AI, genetic engineering and organ transplants. All exchanges will be accompanied by preparative units using text and film material and constant communication via eTwinning. By varying the methodology used, students from all countries will improve their skills in 1. scientific inquiry (asking the right questions), 2. appropriate documentation and presentation, 3. ethical evaluation and last but not least 4. communication in the project language English.
Students learned about different areas of artificial intelligence use. Artificial intelligence is used in transportation, medicine, art, literature, and music. In the S.E.P.: Scientific Ethical Problems-project, students explored and critiqued the use of artificial intelligence in these areas. Artificial intelligence helps humans to assess acute situations and contributes to a more efficient workflow. However, especially in the medical field, AI and humans often arrive at different assessments of a situation. The final decision-making power always lies with the human being, who must bear and take responsibility for this conflict and dilemma situation. The students became aware of these possible applications of AI and the resulting problems. The young people familiarized themselves with the possible uses of AI in various areas of everyday life and also tried their hand at using AI. At the project kick-off event in Parsberg/Germany, the young people learned about a care robot presented by Prof. Dr. Karsten Weber (OTH Regensburg), which is already being used in a pilot project in the Upper Palatinate Region. In addition, the group visited the MINTLab in Regensburg, where they concretely used user-related AI apps to process images and pieces of music as well as literary works. At Regensburger Verkehrsbetriebe, the students gained insight into how autonomously driving buses work and how they are being developed for use in local public transport. In mixed-national working groups, the students created posters on four topics and informed the project participants about human microchipping, AI in in agriculture, autonomous driving and human versus artificial intelligence. During the preparatory reading of the novel Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, the students already took a position on the question of whether a robot can replace a girlfriend or boyfriend. This question was then discussed in the plenary session. At BayernLab Neumarkt, the young people learned in a practical way how AI is used in virtual reality glasses. In Tromso, Norway, the students discussed the dangers of data disclosure on the Internet, how AI can evaluate data and, for example, make it usable for advertising purposes, and listened to a lecture by researcher and entrepreneur Dag Johansen, Professor in the Department of Computer Science, University of Tromsø. Afterwards, the students interviewed people in the pedestrian zone and also teachers about their experiences with data sharing on the Internet and created various podcasts on this topic in groups. At the project meeting in Oulu, Finland, the young people visited Oulu University Hospital and gained insight into the concrete use of artificial intelligence in the treatment of patients with diabetes and breast carcinoma. The use of AI at the Oulu Blood Donor Service was also highlighted on site at a blood donation center. The content of the students' final presentations focused on the application of AI in the medical field and in genetic engineering. In Tilburg, the Netherlands, the group visited the Erasmus University Hospital in Rotterdam and gained insight into the use of AI in care management. In addition, the company ASML welcomed the Erasmus group and presented its product range of machines for the production of microchips before the students were allowed to playfully experiment with such machines on a small scale. In Leiden, the group visited an interactive exhibition on artificial intelligence. The information absorbed here was used by the students in their respective group presentations. These final presentations were on ethical issues in medicine. All students involved in the project will reflect more critically on the use of AI in the future and they are aware that AI cannot replace human knowledge. The moral conduct of humans is always paramount.