In science, knowledge is an unmixed good; in ethics and politics it is bad as well as good
John Gray (2003)
Ethics relates to codes of conduct regarded by a community as ‘right’ and ‘good’. They may be based on notions of morality or values. They may be faith based, determined by rules of proper conduct laid down by some higher authority. As such, we note the conflicts that can arise where values clash or rules differ. Ethical principles are rarely the subject of absolute standards. Nevertheless, conforming to ethical standards does require some consensus at least within defined communities such as those represented by professional associations. Some communities consider ethics sufficiently important to subject their activities to scrutiny by an ethics committee, which may operate on a mandatory basis with legal sanctions against those who flout its rulings. Others work on the basis of voluntary agreement. The medical profession has led the way in being subjected to mandatory ethical audits as well as voluntary agreements.