The Ethical Dimension of Science-Technology Governance and Its Legalization

The governance system of the science and technology has changed from focusing on “physical impact” to “value impact”, which has triggered an ethical governance shift. At present, the ethical governance structure of science and technology is far from mature. The normative basis of ethical governance of science and technology, the relationship between ethics of science and technology and law, and the way in which law intervenes in ethical governance need to be clarified. The normative basis for the development of ethical governance is that, with the evolution of the “science-technology-society” relationship, the law should not simply understand science and technology as a neutral tool but need to face up to its value-loaded attributes. The development of new and emerging science and technology requires appropriate legal intervention to establish an orderly reflection process and form behavioral guidelines, which ultimately promotes the orderly dialogue and connection between the science-technology system and the social system. The specific path includes institutionalizing ethical deliberation procedures, improving the multi-level behavior guidance system, and constructing a self-regulatory system which is subjected to the state regulation.