I agree. Software engineers are approaching a level of societal impact that it would be appropriate to start thinking about professional ethics systems similar to Canada's Iron Ring (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Ring).

I also think there's a long, long way between here and there, especially in the US. Requiring ethics in CS programs seems more immediately attainable to me, but I agree that it isn't a standalone fix.

The iron ring is symbolic, just like that ethics course.

A Professional Engineer license and the passing down of liability to the individual is what's needed IMO