The process of hydraulic fracturing has been around since the 1940s, although only in recent years has it become an economically viable option. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” refers to the process of injecting large volumes of water, mixed with a proppant (usually sand) and chemicals, into a well at high pressures to fracture low-permeability underground formations. Due to technological advances that have allowed companies to drill horizontal wells in recent years, the use of fracking has grown exponentially in the United States. This is because fracking has allowed oil and natural gas companies to produce large quantities of hydrocarbons in low-permeability shale formations previously thought to be economically inaccessible. This natural gas “boom” caused by the widespread use of hydraulic fracturing has presented great opportunities for the United States. By creating a large domestic energy supply, the United States has been able to reduce its dependence on foreign oil imports. Additionally, natural gas has emerged as a viable fuel source and even burns cleaner than other fossil fuels. However, fracking has also become a hot topic from an ethical perspective, with alarming environmental damage coming to light. With claims and studies that hydraulic fracturing has caused water contamination, water shortages, and even earthquakes, many people question its current use and future viability. Some counties and states are even starting to completely ban the use of fracking in general. The first canon of the National Society of Professional Engineers' code of ethics states that all engineers should "hold as paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public." (NSPE.org) To support this code, I believe that the env...... middle of paper ......, and has not received sufficient recognition. Chemicals in fluids used in the fracturing process can contaminate and pollute groundwater, and improper disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing can contaminate and pollute rivers and streams with radioactive particles. Both of these problems can, in turn, cause harmful health risks to many people and animals. Aside from causing water shortages in some areas and earthquakes in others, how can hydraulic fracturing be ethically allowed to continue at its current rate? With all these known disadvantages, oil industry engineers must fulfill their ethical duties to society and slow the use of hydraulic fracturing until more is known. Hence, the positive and negative aspects of this process can be safely evaluated to make a well-informed decision on the future of hydraulic fracturing implementation..