During this past week’s activities with guest speakers and our trip to Nanophase, the topic of ethics was discussed. My understanding of ethics may be different from another person’s, but I would define ethics as moral principles that we use to determine right from wrong in various aspects of our lives, from work to family to how we treat others. Ethics is an important part of our lives as citizens, neighbors, friends, and family; in addition, ethics is a crucial part of any workforce. From doctors to business men and women, veterinarians to psychiatrists, and game designers to medical illustrators, we all have a responsibility to abide by ethical guidelines that will direct our decisions and interactions with one another to ensure integrity, honesty, fairness, accuracy, and safety.
Ethical practices are a very important aspect in the field of Illustration, especially for Medical Illustration. Artists must ensure they do not plagiarize another’s work, and uphold professional scholarship. Artists must navigate through their careers dealing with issues involving copyright, use of references, sources for inspiration, being clear and straightforward about what they are providing their clients, commitments to their work, and creditability. There is not a definitive line drawn dictating what is right and what is wrong for every situation. Therefore, as artists, we must abide by ethical principles and ensure that for everyone involved communication is open and clear, rights are negotiated, agreed upon, and clearly stated, expectations are clearly identified, and all commitments are met to the best ability of all persons involved.
As described by the Association of Medical Illustrators, medical illustrators collaborate with scientists, physicians, and other content specialists to serve as visual translators of complex technical information to support education, medical and bio-scientific research, patient care, patient education, public relations, and marketing objectives (http://www.ami.org/medical-illustration/careers.html). They must have a strong foundation in general, biological, and medical science as well as be accomplished in a wide range of art methods and media production skills. Content and anatomical accuracy is paramount in the field of medical illustration, and images are designed to communicate specific content. Given these expectations and demands of the medical illustration field, ethics is an undeniably crucial part of the practices of medical illustrators.
During my fellowship research and throughout my academic and professional career, I will abide by ethical principles and uphold research and academic integrity. I will cite all sources used to gain a thorough background on my topic of research and any images used as reference or inspiration. I will not take credit for another’s work, and I will give credit to those that it is due. I will be as accurate and clear as possible with my images to best communicate the content that I am researching. At all times, throughout my research and my life, I will act responsibly, ethically, and morally. These are my values, and I will carry them throughout my life.
Melissa
Melissa Woodall 