¿Mancharse las manos de negro? El dilema ético de la investigación en territorios petrolizados

Abstract

Es común que los académicos que trabajan en territorios ricos en hidrocarburos enfrenten un dilema ético: recibir o no apoyo económico de la industria energética. En este trabajo desarrollo éste dilema y argumento que, aunque más segura, la peor postura es la de permanecer como observadores ajenos. Se necesita que la academia participe en la innovación y con su visión a largo plazo, y no sólo en situaciones de crisis, que es generalmente cuando se erosiona su credibilidad. Los investigadores deben plantear su participación como un riesgo consciente y éticamente calculado, donde se guíen por una serie de posturas apegadas a la legalidad, la independencia, la certeza, la imparcialidad, la objetividad y la transparencia. Entre menos sabemos, más requerimos investigar.

It is common for academics working in territories rich in hydrocarbons to face an ethical dilemma: wheter or not to receive or not economic support from the energy industry. In this work, this paper studies and develops this predicament and argues that, although it is the safest, the least favorable position is to remain as outside observers. Academia sector must participate in innovation with its long-term vision, and not only during crises and emergency situations, which is usually when its credibility is eroded. Researchers ought to plan their participation as a conscious and ethically considered risk, basing their work is based on the basic precepts of legality and independence, and always aligning their positions with certainty, impartiality, objectivity, and transparency. These values are all related and should not be ignored. In a scenario such as the Energy Reform in Mexico, all actors must play their role so that there are counterweights, and Academia musts accept the challenge and take on a more proactive role. The less it knows, the more research it needs to conduct.