AI-enhanced coding in bioinformatics: legal and ethical considerations

Abstract

In this article, we describe a case study that explores the ethical and legal issues relating to the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced coding in bioinformatics and related life science research. Using this case study, we highlight the potential dangers posed by the introduction of AI-assisted coding in programming and analysis of health data. The aim is to understand and consider the potential harms it poses and to help students and young researchers on how to use AI responsibly in their work. Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and the emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs)-based chatbots such as Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) launched by OpenAI on November 30, 2022 are currently matter of many debates mainly about AI-generated scientific research and publications. Several scientists, editors, and publishers disapproved that ChatGPT made its way into scientific production by being listed as a co-author. Programming is another domain where LLMs-based chatbots have proven immense potential. These AI systems have the ability to assist human programmers at different stages, including writing and debugging code. The rapid development of AI and related emerging technologies and its wide deployment in different domains, including life-science research gives rise to multiple ethical, legal and technical considerations. We designed the present case study to describe a plausible situation in biomedical research, and to elucidate some legal and ethical issues resulting from the introduction of AI in life-science research.