Can be, usually is, and should be. As engineers, we should always consider the potential ramifications of technology that we create.
Now, we should not necessarily refuse to develop an idea because it could be abused, but we should always keep abuse in mind. Nearly everything can be abused, if only as a bludgeon, so obviously we need to have a certain level of tolerance for potential abuse. However it would be negligent to not consider the full range of ways something could be abused.
I strongly believe that engineers have an obligation to always consider and discuss the ethics of what they are building.
Even if you don't give a shit about ethics (I know many engineers don't), you must realize that many potential consumers will be concerned. Considering these possibilities is therefore just good business sense.
