| Abstract: | This article argues that research involving active SETI, or sending messages toward possible extraterrestrial intelligence (METI), is not ethically justifiable. As a way of working some of the ethical problems associated with METI, I approach the sending of a message from the perspective that it represents a research endeavor involving sentient beings and therefore, should undergo review by a university institutional review board (IRB). As such, METI should be expected to meet several criteria expected by IRBs as being necessary components of ethically justifiable research. By considering issues of proportionality, justice, informed consent, the likely success of obtaining desired results, and necessity and considering risks and benefits to research subjects, as well as the mandate to do no harm, it is evident that METI does not meet the requirements for ethical research on human subjects and, thus, should not be considered ethical when it comes to nonhuman sentient beings. |
