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The chemical industry is a major employer in science and technology, providing materials that benefit society while producing synthetic chemicals that cause "significant harm to human health and to the environment". The briefing explores the ethical dilemmas and evolving regulations in the sector to guide career choices and identifies opportunities to improve the industry's environmental and health performance.

The document discusses the tension between the chemical industry's societal benefits and its harmful impacts on human health and the environment, specifically highlighting the 'knowledge gap' in toxicity data. It details the introduction of the EU's REACH regulation as a pivotal shift in chemical safety and burden of proof. The briefing identifies ethical career paths in regulatory implementation, green chemistry, and the design of non-hazardous alternatives to synthetic chemicals.

The document examines how the profit imperative of corporations can bias scientific research, neglect environmental and social impacts, and exacerbate global injustices. It analyzes the increasing collaboration between UK universities and industry, noting that while commercialization can distribute beneficial technologies, it often introduces conflicts of interest. The author suggests that the most ethical career paths for science and technology professionals are in publicly or charity-funded university R&D, ethically orientated corporations, or non-profit organizations.

The document presents a series of personal narratives from professionals across various scientific and engineering disciplines to inspire students and graduates to pursue ethical careers. These cases highlight the challenges of navigating corporate and military interests, the value of interdisciplinary education, and the possibility of transitioning into non-profit, academic, or political roles to achieve social and environmental goals.

The document discusses the militarisation of science and technology in the UK and USA, highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by professionals when working on projects that may support offensive force. It details the financial scale of military R&D and the increasing partnerships between universities and defence corporations. Finally, it suggests alternative career paths in peace-building, disarmament, and renewable energy.

The document explores the moral status of animals, the influence of behaviourism on scientific attitudes, and the tension between commercial interests and animal welfare. It highlights a historical decline in animal testing in the US and Europe, while warning that genetic engineering and commercial 'bioreactors' could reverse this trend. Finally, it provides guidance for scientists to pursue careers in non-animal research, refinement of procedures, or animal welfare.