Module 1: Ethical Leader -- An Internal Look

ExampleMoralPhilosophies.html

 

GUIDANCE ON MORAL PHILOSOPHIES

 EXAMPLE

There has been a deadly outbreak of the ZITA strain of the Bird Flu.  It is expected to arrive in the US in 7 days from oversea.  If you contract the ZITA strain of the Bird Flu, you have an 80% chance of dying. It is extremely contagious, and entire families are dead in a week.

 Scientists have found that 1% of the population contain antibodies to the Bird Flu. If they take blood from these individuals, they can create vaccinations in 24 hours and start massive vaccination drives.  They need every possible source of the antibodies to be used for the vaccination production.

 

The US Government is requiring every US citizen/resident/visitor to be tested. If found to contain the antibodies, the person is detained for a required blood withdrawal.  Is this ethical?

 YES, IT IS ETHICAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS.

 A. Utilitarian.  If we require the 1% of the people to give the blood, we can save millions of people. Yes, requiring people to give blood may be hurtful and harmful for some but it helps more people than it hurts.

 B.  Rights View.  We have a right for the US Government to protect us from harm. If the government knows of a cure, then it is ETHICAL for them to require people to undergo the blood test and give blood to help millions of others.

 C.  Social Integrative Theory.  In the US, vaccinations to prevent widespread outbreaks are common, accepted, and expected. The US requires us to vaccinate our children. The US can also use force to quarantine us if we pose a health risk. It is RIGHT for the US government to use force if necessary to make people keep other people healthy.

 D.  Fairness/Justice.  Everyone is being required to be tested to see if they carry the antibodies.  Anyone that is found to be a carrier is required to provide their blood.  Since the process used applies to everyone, what the Government is requiring is fair. Especially, if they ensure confidentiality of the blood results.

 E.  Values/Virtues Based.  We value helping our neighbors in a time of crisis in the US.  This is such a time when some of us are able to protect the rest of us.  Asking us to be tested and provide blood to save America is consistent with what we value.

 

NO, IT IS UNETHICAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS.

 A.  Utilitarian.  If we allow the US Government to have this power to force us to undergo testing which is not voluntary, we are forever changing America. We are giving the Government power that our forefathers worked so hard to prevent. Although we may protect some Americans now, the country will be irreparably harmed much greater than this current medical crisis.

 B.  Rights View.  The US Government cannot force Americans to undergo medical testing and provide blood unless they consent to do.  This is violating a right of privacy and right of self-determination.

 C.  Social Integrative Theory.  In the US, there is an understanding that tests that reveal what is in your blood and what is going on with your body is private information.  There is an unwritten rule or norm (sometimes written in the law), that the government shouldn't force me to do things with my body that I do not want to do.   The government can ask for volunteers, but should not require citizens to do this.

 D.  Fairness/Justice.  Although the process proposed applies to everyone, the impact will have different impacts on people. From this massive blood test, the US government will have information on my health. People with illness such as HIV may lose their secrecy of their illness.   Also people deemed to have the antibody are detained and blood is withdrawn from them. They have not consented to this. There is no compensation for this. It is unfair to treat people differently just because they have something in their blood they have not control over.

 E. Values/Virtues Based.  In the US, we value consenting or agreeing to do something rather than being compelled to do something.  Our government is set up in a way to have limited power. This overreaching violates our values of we should consent/give you this power rather than you making us do something.